nathalie martin, anine bing bolt tshirt, yellow green robert rodriquez pants, 3.1 phillip lim patent leather boots, saint laurent lou lou bowling bag, the kooples leather moto jacket, YSL leather cuff, edgy street style, woahstyle.com_5991.jpg

WHAT I’M WEARING

JACKET | The Kooples Leather Moto Jacket
T-SHIRT | Anine Bing Bolt tee
PANTS | Robert Rodriguez yellow-green plaid pants (sold out, similar here)
BRACELET | Saint Laurent leather cuff (sold out, similar here)
SUNGLASSES | Saint Laurent Bold 2 squared sunglasses
BAG | Saint Laurent small Lou Lou Bowling Bag (sold out, similar here)
SHOES | 3.1 Phillip Lim patent leather ankle boots ((sold out, similar here)

I was thinking back to my early days on Instagram when I started to grow my audience based on my daily #ootd posts. Those looks were honest, I dressed only for myself and I wasn’t concerned about anyone else back then. I had found a global community of like-minded people who were equally as fashion obsessed and it was pretty amazing. I rode that high for a couple of years and then at the peak of my growth I turned my back on IG and declared that the platform was “too superficial”. It’s like the rosy coloured glasses had be bitch slapped off my face.

I then went through what I call my “dark stage”. I was confused by how IG was growing and was suddenly way more concerned about keeping on top of trends and trying to appease the algorithm than anything else. I had a hard time stepping in front of the camera (not good when you’re a fashion blogger) and was overwhelmed by putting together a simple outfit.

Even though I was so frustrated with the way things where moving, both in my mind and in the way of IG, I always kept pushing myself. I learned how to evolve my photography, writing, and editing skills. I reconnected with Pinterest (oh how I’ve missed you!), grew my blog, and even gathered enough courage to step in front of the camera and record beauty tutorials on YouTube!!! (This was a big win for me as I overcame one of my deepest fears of speaking in front of the camera and going barefaced. Talk about feeling naked and vulnerable but I set out to kill it!)

I learned to always be true to myself, especially when it comes to fashion because it’s so deeply ingrained in who I am. Thinking back to my childhood it’s all I ever cared about, and so now as an adult, I see this full-fledged fashion obsession of mine as a gift because I’ve turned it into a career - even when everyone around me said I’d never be able to make money off my passion.

It might sound odd and superficial to some, but for as long as I can remember fashion has been a way that I’ve connected with people. I light up when someone asks me for fashion advice or where I got something. I find it deeply flattering that someone would actually seek my advice, and I love sharing my style/beauty secrets because I think we all deserve to feel good.

My love for style has also landed me a number of jobs, from a retail merchandiser, to a stylist for a prominent Canadian television channel, and eventually entrepreneur. My entire life there were two things I knew for sure, that I had to work in fashion and that I had to work for myself in order to be my most authentic happiest self.

MY FAVOURITE BOOKS FOR SOUL SEARCHING

I no longer seek for inspiration on Instagram becauseI find clutters my creativity. Instead, I turn to Pinterest and good old fashion magazines. I’m also deeply inspired by men's fashion, Harry Styles and Luka Sabbat in particular. I look at what they wear and I think, “That’s a fabulous outfit. I have something like that!” Of course, I always put my spin on it because I want to keep my style true to how I am.

As for that dark confusing stage, it was a total blessing because I grew my skills during that time. I’m not sure I would have gone to that next level had I been riding the Instagram wave and I’m definitely stronger for it.

My advice to anyone who’s stuck right now, be proud of who you are. Embrace it and don’t fight it. When you go with the flow instead of against it, good things happen. Show up everyday and be the best version of yourself that you can. Life is short after-all. You can sit around trying to live someone else’s dream or you can choose to live yours. You deserve to be happy. I know I do.