you know those girls you see in bryant park during fashion week? the ones who are so original you know you'll see them on the sartorialist the next day? the ones who, in addition to being downright adorable and insanely cool, look like they'd probably be the nicest person on earth? for me, taghrid chaaban is one of those girls. i've never met her, but i interviewed her earlier this year, and i've spotted her from afar at NYFW. taghrid, if you're reading, i think we'd be great friends - though i have to state upfront that i could never rock a hair bow like you do.
· You clearly have a fabulous signature style! Where do you like to shop? I usually shop at Nordstrom, Forever21, Urban Outfitters, Target, Online, and a variety of little thrift and vintage stores. My favorite vintage shop is Aardvaarks, they've always got the weirdest/coolest stuff.
· Do you think of yourself as a style icon? Be honest- we think of you as one J I'm definitely flattered, but to be honest I really don't necessarily go around my life thinking "wow Taghrid, you're such a style icon" how obnoxious would that be! However, in fashion I definitely think there is a distinction between two groups, one group of style-seekers who follow trends and styles, and the group of people who set styles and create trends. I consider myself to be a small part of the latter group. I think it's important to portray yourself in your clothing and not just care what everyone else is doing.
· Where do you see yourself in ten years? If ten’s too far, how about five? In five years I will hopefully have just graduated law school and starting out my career. In ten, I will get married and a successful attorney rolling in cash LOL. I am joking, but I do hope to have a legitimate career in law. Oh and in ten years, my closet will be the size of a condo!
· What would you say are the perks of blogging? Has it put you in touch with designers? PR people? The biggest perk of blogging is the networking capability that enables you to meet all kinds of really cool people not just for business but actual friendships. Also, because of my blog I have been afforded some opportunities that would have never come to me before. Things meeting designers and PR people and working with them , to being featured by some of my favorite magazines.
· What’s your “day job”? I work for a golf merchandising firm as a graphic artist where I design all kinds of custom products. But in addition to that I put on many hats like customer service/ executive assistant/ IT person/ webmaster. We're a fairly small company so my job really is to help out everyone in whatever they need to get things done. I am also a jewelry and accessories designer. A friend and I are currently working on a whole new collection to be launched later this year.
· What’s the craziest comment you’ve gotten? Do you communicate with other bloggers? If so, have you guys met in person or just online? Of all the crazies the best is the series of comments I keep getting from a person who is convinced I have a mustache. As far as other bloggers, I definitely am in contact with a lot bloggers and have met a many of them as well. There are even a few who I now consider real friends.
· What do you do for fun outside of blogging (this is a lamely worded question, I apologize) – I basically mean tell us about your life outside of your online persona. I love to drink tea and hang out with my boyfriend. Partying and the club scene are really not my thing, so sitting around doing nothing with close friends is the best. Some days I like to stay in and watch marathons of foreign films and really bad reality TV. Although I am not a sporty girl at all, I love to snowboard and try to go as often as I can during the few cold months in So Cal. I am a big art junkie so I am always at art shows drooling over works I cannot afford. And of course, shopping is my favorite pass time.
· Along those lines, would you say your online persona is the same as your “real” personality? Radically different? Yes, my blogger self and real self are the same exact person. Only on my blog you don't get to see me dancing like a weirdo while driving, or the fact that I am really really bad at math and cannot calculate my share of the bill at a restaurant if my life depended on it.
· What is your all time favorite piece of clothing? A vintage navy backless linen dress with crochet details at the back. It's appropriate and elegant yet still sexy.
· What kind of music do you listen to? My taste in music is really eclectic in that I love metal, punk, indie, alternative, slow jams, oldies, and Frank Sinatra all at once.
