La Mimi: Name, age, location

Aisa Ipac, 26, Philippines

La Mimi: When and why did you start blogging?

Aisa: I started blogging last July 2008. It was just a personal thing at first. I just wanted a space where I could rant and rave about life, document my days and sometimes share my addiction to shopping and fashion. Didn’t really think it will come to this point where I’d have followers other than my friends! Hehe.

La Mimi: What goes through you mind when you put an outfit together?

Aisa: I just follow my mood. Then I start with one item–a dress, a pair of shoes, a necklace–and work my whole outfit around it.

La Mimi: Since you have quite a lot of experience travelling, where would you say is the best place to shop?

Aisa: I haven’t been to any country outside Asia BUT for me Thailand is the best! It’s a shopper’s/fashionista’s heaven on earth.

La Mimi: You own quite a lot of vintage in your wardrobe. But if you had to choose between vintage or new, what would you go for?

Aisa: Vintage. One, because the quality is first-rate– otherwise they wouldn’t have stood the test of time. Two, because it’s unique. And three, because I love that each piece comes with a little history to it.

La Mimi: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you think fashion would still be a significant part of your life?

Aisa: Definitely! I can’t really say if I’ll be into fashion full-time but I’m quite sure it will still be part of my everyday life personally and I do hope professionally.

La Mimi: What’s the biggest lesson life has taught you?

Aisa: We are responsible of who we become.

La Mimi: Name, Age, Location

Ashley Dy, 21, Japan

La Mimi: What made you start a fashion blog about Japanese street style?

Ashley: I think that Japan has various fashion styles to offer such as gyaru, lolita and punk. Trends could come and go but these styles were already stapled to Japanese communities. And since I am immersed in Japanese fashion and culture, I thought “why not share this with the world?”

La Mimi: Define a well dressed woman…

Ashley: A well dressed woman is one that’s brave to be herself in public. She exudes confidence, poise and knowledge. If she wants to be Marie Antoinette for a day, then she wears a dress inspired by her. Lolita fashion is one adorable way to look dolled-up in Japan.

La Mimi: What are you into wearing these days?

Ashley: Boater/sailor hats (also known as can can hats in Japan), anything with bows from the tiniest one to the extremely huge bows, maxi dresses (cause it’s too hot!) and wedge shoes.

La Mimi: Any exciting trends you are looking forward to rock this summer?

Ashley: I would really love if I could play from the items at Commes des Garcons SS10 collection and those brilliant Miu Miu shoes!

La Mimi: You have an awesome hat collection. Where do you find most of them?

Ashley: Wow! Thank you! I am on an endless trip looking for the most beautiful hats in Japan since I’ve always thought that it’s the most underrated fashion item. You can actually shop them at Shop My Closet by Ashley.

La Mimi: What’s the best style advice you’ve gotten?

Ashley: It’s by Mark Twain, “The clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on the society.”

La Mimi: Do you have any future career plans that include fashion?

Ashley: Actually there’s a lot of plans like designing my own clothing line, writing for an international magazine, or maybe become Japan’s fashion ambassador. (Hahaha! The third one is inspired my Misako Aoki’s job as one of Japan’s ambassador of “cute,” -yes, it truly exists!)

La Mimi: What’s the biggest lesson life has taught you?

Ashley: One friend told me that life is like the sakura (cherry blossoms, when it blooms for a week in spring,) It’s too beautiful to be short-lived. So, make the most out of it.

This week’s fashion idol is Oliwka hails all the way from Poland.  Quirky picks mixed with simple everyday wear like skinny jeans, trench coats, ankle boots and one of a kind bag is what makes Oliwia’s style so likable.However, capturing her laid-back insouciance isn’t so easy. The secret seems to be less sexiness, more boyish charm, oh and the beautiful long hair. Enjoy the interview below, but don’t forget to check out her blog for more eye candy.

La Mimi: Name, Age, location

Oliwia; 18; Poland, Lodz

La Mimi: When and why did you start your blog?

Oliwia: I started blogging over a year ago, when I was surfing the Internet and I came across fashion websites. Inspired by one of them (Agathe from Style Bytes) I decided to immediately create my own blog.

La Mimi: How did your life change since you started blogging?

Oliwia: Actually, my life hasn’t changed very much since I started blogging, apart from meeting many fantastic people. I still wear the same clothes and develop my passion, which is photography. Writing the blog is a lot fun too.

La Mimi: How would you describe your style?

Oliwia: I must admit that it’s quite a difficult question. I don’t know exactly. I think that one of my readers’ comment is the best description of my style: “20%-chic, 20%-classy, 20%-elegance, 20%-good taste, 20%-femininity – that is 100% of you!”

La Mimi: What’s your dream career?

Oliwia: For the time being, being admitted to the university is my only dream connected with the future career. I can’t really predict at the time if my future will be connected to fashion

La Mimi: What are some of the trends you can’t wait to try this summer?

Oliwia: I don’t know if it can be called “trends”… but surely I will wear a turban this summer, as often as it will be possible What really appeals to me  this season are 70′s hats and patterns inspired by Miu Miu collection (to the extent that I make my own t-shirt with famous cats).

La Mimi: Name, Age, Location

Kira Aderne

28 years-old

Brazil

La Mimi: When did you first discover your passion for the fashion world?

Kira: I think it started in a very unconscious way when I was a kid. I remember getting ready for a birthday party and my mom arguing with me about the way I wore my socks. She wanted me to wear it down and I wanted to wear it up. So funny! When I turned 15, I stated working in orded to make my own fashion choices. My love for clothes and fashion only grew and grew with the years.

La Mimi: What’s your favourite shopping destination?

New York of course! It is after all the centre of the world.

La Mimi: I love how on your blog you also post quite a lot of makeup and beauty product recommendations. What are some of your make up essentials for everyday use?

Kira: I love make-up and beauty products. They are as essential as clothes. However, I don’t really need much of it. In fact, I don’t like to have more than I need. So I keep it simple: concealer, black eye pencil, mascara, white illuminator eye shadow, blush and lipstick (at the moment the colors can be red, orange or pale pink). For special occasions, I only add foundation, compact and black eye shadow if it is necessary. About brands, when I am traveling I always enjoy picking up some Chanel make-up treats, but I also like to use some good local brands too for my everyday make-up. For the face, baby products from Johnson and Johnson to wash and to treat the sensitive skin that I have are perfect. I also try to moisturize my skin every chance I get.

La Mimi: Vintage vs New, what do you like more and why?

Kira: I love both. In fact, what I do enjoy the most is mixing old with the new, creating a totally new look. It is also important to sometimes shop in our own wardrobes before going shopping. There is always something great forgotten right in front of our noses.

La Mimi: I’ve read of your trips to bookstores every weekend to browse through the fashion section. ( I have to confess, I have the same obsession, haha!) What’s one fashion book you would definitely recommend to La Mimi readers?

Kira: I would recommend two books actually: the first one is Two Lipsticks and a Lover by Helena Frith Powell. It is a book about the secrets of style from the French girls. The Parisian woman is so classy and inspiring for me and the book reveals it all! The other one is The One Hundred by Nina Garcia. It is a style guide that every fashionista must read!

La Mimi: I’ve noticed you travel quite a lot. What’s the most stylish city in your opinion?

Kira: My dream is to visit the five continents of the globe. I still have a lot to discover and to learn. So far, I would say Paris. The girls there are unbelievable chic.

La Mimi: What’s the biggest lesson that life has taught you?

Kira: It is important to look nice and chic; however what’s more important is to be beautiful on the inside. It is harder than to look stylish everyday…

The Interview

La Mimi: Name, age, location

Jennifer, 34, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

La Mimi: When did you first fall in love with vintage fashion?

Jennifer: In high school I started shopping in thrift stores and have loved vintage ever since.

La Mimi: What is it about vintage clothes/accessories that you admire?

Jennifer: I like the quality and craftsmanship found in vintage clothes and the fact that you’re likely to find only one of each piece, making them unique.

La Mimi: What has prompted you to open up your own vintage Etsy boutique?

Jennifer: I was finding so many lovely vintage pieces that didn’t quite work for me.  I wanted to find new homes for them.

La Mimi: How do you select the vintage treasures you sell in Sally Jane Vintage?

Jennifer: I think the search for vintage might be my favorite part.  I’ve always loved that treasure hunt aspect of running a vintage shop.  You never know what you’re going to find around the next corner.  You’ll frequently find me at thrift shops, garage sales, church sales, estate auctions… anywhere I think I might turn up my next favorite find!

La Mimi: I’ve notice you have a fabulous hat collection ( especially berets).  I’m curious to know how many of them do you own?

Jennifer: Hmmm… good question.  I don’t think I’ve ever actually counted.  Maybe 25 or so?  There are about 4-5 berets among the collection that certainly get the most wear but there are also a few 30s cloche hats and a straw boater that I’m looking forward to wearing this summer.

La Mimi: Is there something you would never- ever wear?

Jennifer: I suppose there’s that old adage that goes “never say never” because in the past I’ve seen things that I thought I would never wear and then somehow they grow on me and before you know it, it’s my new favorite thing.  Like right now, I’m thinking I would never wear clogs, but I keep seeing them on street style site and they might be growing on me a bit.  But there are a few things I’m pretty sure I can say “never” about.  On the list would be Uggs, anything with words written across the seat (you know, “juicy”, that sort of thing), jeans with strappy high heels.

La Mimi: If you could share one of your styling secret, what would it be…

Jennifer: I suppose it would be to keep things simple.  I like that rule about looking in the mirror before you leave the house and removing one accessory (I think that’s a Coco Chanel thing).  Also, always mix decades so you never look like you’re wearing a costume.

La Mimi: What’s the biggest lessons life has taught you?

Jennifer: Work hard and anything is possible!

The Interview

La Mimi: Name, age, location
June Paski, 19, Bandung, Indonesia

La Mimi: Why do you blog?
June: I first started a photo retouching blog. I made it to publish my work so I had a working portfolio. Later after discovering fashion blogs, I became completely obsessed with them, especially after I started regularly reading Susie’s Style Bubble blog. I guess I can say that she has been the main inspiration for me to start my own fashion blog.

La Mimi: How has your life changed since you started blogging?
June: I’ve been able to meet with loads of new people from around the world and I love that!  Prior to starting my blog I rarely met anyone new. It keeps me motivated  and inspired.

La Mimi: What and who inspired your personal style?
June: My dad because he has amazing style.  As well as magazines, other fashion bloggers, runaway fashion and editorials.

La Mimi: What are some of the trends you can’t wait to try this summer?
June: Maxi dress and silk shirt.

La Mimi: You believe that one can be fashionable on a very low budget. How do you
personally manage to do that?
June: I don’t come from a rich family. So, I had to learn to shop on a very tight budget. I read a lot of magazines and blogs to stay up to date on trends, and then find what I need in flea markets, if I can’t get what I want in there, I try to make it myself.

La Mimi: What’s the best style advice you’ve gotten?
June:  Anything that’s handmade is so much more special and unique than what’s sold in mass retail stores.

La Mimi: What’s the biggest lesson life has taught you?
June: Keep moving forward to make your dreams come true.