We have had a good run on the blog and I have enjoyed reading and responding to people’s comments, or listening to suggestions and answering questions. The questions have mostly been about how we came up with the idea for the blog and what we plan to do with it going forward.
The Blog
For me, the idea for the blog came once I saw my sister’s Instagram pictures and realised how amazing they were! I knew she needed a wider platform for her pictures than Instagram. I also loved hearing her work stories (she did not care for mine) and seeing pictures from her shoots. I thought of a blog which would help publicise the very fun (and tiring) work she does as a fashion stylist so told her about my plan – we should start a blog about fashion. I love writing which is what I wanted to do.
She agreed but had one condition – we had to include food, drinks and travel. Once we started talking about it, we knew we had to rope in Satarupa as well! She had some other conditions – makeup and baking. So my original fashion blog became a lifestyle blog. What it may evolve to next, even we don’t know!
Shopping and Fashion
With regards to the fashion part of the blog, I was clear about one thing – budget fashion. I was a working lawyer for almost five years, shopping indiscriminately, making up for the time I didn’t have by spending without a thought. I became a student about 4 years or so ago and once I started packing up my stuff to move to London from Mumbai, I realised how much clothing, shoes, bags I owned and more importantly, how much I hadn’t worn or used – ever. And strangely, it was never the expensive things that I wore frequently. And, of course, once I became a student in London, budget fashion became more and more relevant. I didn’t have the money or the heart to spend like I used to. Most of the fashion blogs I regularly visited were not exactly budget friendly. I definitely think styling with cheaper clothes is a bigger challenge but that is where the fun lies. But I firmly believe you don’t need Chanel to look good and if its great styling, Primark looks as good as Prada!
Fast Fashion
However the flip side to budget fashion is that it is synonymous with fast fashion, sweatshops and a general depressing state of affairs. So I have been trying to find a middle ground. Even though I am working now and not on a strict budget anymore, my enthusiasm to shop has definitely gone away. What I do try and buy is good quality clothing which will last me a few years. And you know I love mum’s old stuff!
Outfit details: Jacket from Self Portrait, jeans from Stradivarius, wedge heels from Topshop (similar), bag from Dune London (similar – expensive and budget), socks from H&M (these fun heart socks are one buck!) and lipstick is Candy Yum Yum by Mac.
My Style
Most of the clothing I own are high street brands which I mix and match to come up with interesting things to wear. I don’t wear too much colour – except on my lips (to make up for the mostly black and white outfits). The expensive items I do buy are after a lot of thought and research and I do feel I enjoy it more. I don’t remember ever going and picking up something without considering it for at least a few weeks so thats my way of overcoming fast fashion.
Anyway, you may have guessed by now this post has no coherent theme or story but just some rambling thoughts. If you have any thoughts about this I would love to discuss. You know you can tweet to us, post comments on Instagram or send us an old fashion email at fashionfrappes@gmail.com!
Happy weekend everyone!
Thanks to DJ for the pictures.
– Anisha
Always wanted to know how you guys started Fashion and Frappes. Great Post!
It’s really interesting reading about how you started this blog!
Also, I totally get what you mean about moving to another country – when I moved to London and back to NZ again, I realised how much stuff I had. The way back was worse, because I bought too many clothes in London.