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	<title>Clashe Blog &#187; Interviews</title>
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	<description>Indie Fashion: How To Articles, The Latest News, Updates and Announcements from Clashe</description>
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		<title>Interview with Tara Lacey of Taralacey.com</title>
		<link>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/tara-lacey/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/tara-lacey/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:16:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Darryl</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boutique]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[career women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[london college of fashion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online fashion boutique]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tara lacey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.clashe.com/?p=354</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
TALENTED AND TENACIOUS: Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry. If you have what it takes, create your Clashe lookbook and contact us to be featured in an interview.
Check out Tara Lacey&#8217;s Lookbook.
&#160;
Tell us about Tara [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/tara-lacey/" title="Permanent link to Interview with Tara Lacey of Taralacey.com"><img class="post_image alignleft frame" src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/taralacey.jpg" width="150" height="200" alt="Tara Lacey Portrait Photo" /></a>
</p><p>TALENTED AND TENACIOUS: Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry. If you have what it takes, <a href="http://www.clashe.com/register">create your Clashe lookbook</a> and <a href="http://blog.clashe.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> to be featured in an interview.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/taralacey">Tara Lacey&#8217;s Lookbook</a>.</p>
<div style="clear: both;">&nbsp;</div>
<p><a href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/taralacey"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-358 frame" title="Tara Lacey Logo" src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/taralacey_logo-300x87.jpg" alt="Tara Lacey Logo" width="300" height="87" /></a><strong>Tell us about Tara Lacey and how did it get started?</strong><br />
TaraLacey is an online fashion boutique, aiming to cater for women of all ages who want clothes that not just make them look good but feel great wearing them aswell. After graduating from London College of Fashion in June 2009 I jumped straight into launching the website, searching for brands from all over the world. TaraLacey sells a mix of workwear, evening dresses, swimwear and accessories. All the items are handpicked by myself and are chosen for their quality, and the way they sit on the female body.</p>
<p>I want to encourage women to feel amazing in what they wear and select items that will boost their mood instantly &#8211; as I believe clothes can.</p>
<p><strong>Tara Lacey sells mid-market and luxury brands to career women aged 24-55.  What makes Tara Lacey unique in being able to help women dress themselves?</strong><br />
Tara Lacey aims to provide style advice and provide a good selection of items to chose from. Ranging from sizes 8-16. I hope that women will see Tara Lacey as the ultimate shopping experience, loyal and inspirational. Searching all over the world for brands that cannot be found in large department stores and bringing them all under one roof.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_381" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 201px">
	<a href="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Fiona_Paxton_Earrings.jpg"><img src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Fiona_Paxton_Earrings.jpg" alt="Fiona Paxton Earrings" title="Fiona Paxton Earrings" width="201" height="300" class="size-full wp-image-381" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Fiona Paxton Earrings</p>
</div><strong>What advice do you have for other people who are trying to get noticed?</strong></p>
<p>I am still in the launching process myself, the main thing is to find what is different about your brand and focus on this. Then you have to get the attention of the press, which can be difficult for people who are not knowledgable of PR or Marketing. The best thing to do is hire a professional PR agent or Marketing Person. Most importantly have total faith in your brand.<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Why is it important for Tara Lacey to create a digital lookbook?<br />
</strong>A digital lookbook is a good marketing tool for my company. It provides customers/the media with a quick glance as to what my website offers. From a quick glimpse you will get a taste of Tara Lacey. This is my aim. Lookbooks are there to inspire, to convey a message and to encourage business.</p>
<p><strong>What are you next looking forward to in the life of your business?</strong><br />
I am looking forward to expanding Tara Lacey &#8211; I still want it to remain as a boutique though, this is very important. I do not want my customers to worry about being caught wearing the same outfit as someone else, thats what is so elite about boutiques. I will continue to expand the range and hope to travel to Brazil and India later this year to search for more brands. Within the next couple of years I want to introduce Menswear and also start designing my own collection.</p>
<p><strong>Where can people find your clothes? </strong><br />
My clothes can be found at <a href="http://www.taralacey.com">www.taralacey.com</a> I am launching on 17th March 2010 and clothes can be delivered all over the world. Look out for offers and discounts and free gifts!
<div class='author_box' style='clear: both;'>
<h2 style='margin: 0;'>Author Bio</h2>
<div style='float: left; margin-right: 10px; '><img alt='' src='http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2e5b0165baa23393b38d9d35e3064e75?s=96&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D96&amp;r=G' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></div>
<p>Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.</p></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/tara-lacey/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cait Lynn of Get Go Retro is Talented and Tenacious</title>
		<link>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/cait-lynn-get-go-retro/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/cait-lynn-get-go-retro/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:01:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Darryl</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boutique]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cait lynn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[confidence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Designers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[getgoretro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vintage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.clashe.com/?p=336</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
TALENTED AND TENACIOUS: Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry. If you have what it takes, create your Clashe lookbook and contact us to be featured in an interview.
Check out Get Go Retro&#8217;s Lookbook.
&#160;
Tell us about [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/cait-lynn-get-go-retro/" title="Permanent link to Cait Lynn of Get Go Retro is Talented and Tenacious"><img class="post_image alignleft frame" src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/cait-lynn.jpg" width="144" height="200" alt="Cait Lynn of Get Go Retro" /></a>
</p><p>TALENTED AND TENACIOUS: Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry. If you have what it takes, <a href="http://www.clashe.com/register">create your Clashe lookbook</a> and <a href="http://blog.clashe.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> to be featured in an interview.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/getgoretro">Get Go Retro&#8217;s Lookbook</a>.</p>
<div style="clear: both;">&nbsp;</div>
<p><strong>Tell us about who you are, give us some insight into how you first got into fashion, when you decided that this was something you wanted to do, and other things you think we ought to know.</strong></p>
<p>Get Go Retro is a family owned online boutique catering to the fashionista who loves the fashions of the 40s and 50s.  Proprietors Cait Lynn and Cathy Lynn are a mother daughter team who originally created the store with the idea of paying for college.  Mother and daughter are both   admirers of the 50’s feminine and old Hollywood glam styles; so it seemed a natural fit to sell new vintage inspired clothing.  Get Go Retro has blossomed since our inception in 2007; and we both continue to nurture its growth</p>
<p><strong>What do you think sets you apart from other designers?</strong></p>
<p>All of our items are selected with the express purpose of offering clothes that ultimately make a woman feel feminine and good about herself. We carry all sizes; from petite to plus size dresses and swimwear.  Our goal is to find a good mix for every body type. Our clientele are ultimately fans of the timeless and classic styles of the 40’s and 50’s.  Think silver screen glamour icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall and Rita Hayworth; or perhaps Burlesque Queen Bettie Page; to the girl next door … Debbie Reynolds.  We want to have a style and a price range for every size pocketbook.</p>
<p>We  look for designers that carry retro fashions that “we would wear.”  This includes well known designers such as Stop Staring, Drama Queen, Fables by Barrie, and Nicolita (to name a few.)   But, it’s also important to us that we carry some of the lesser well known designers by embracing designers from the cottage industry in an effort to offer unique styles that other sites are not offering.  This concept has proved to be a “win-win” situation for us and the smaller designers by allowing us more variety, and the designers a platform to sell their items and get noticed.  Another important thing … it allows us a wider variety of prices so that we have items for every size pocketbook.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.clashe.com/image/catalog/1044/High_Waisted_Retro_Shorts"><img class="alignright frame" title="High Waisted Retro Shorts" src="http://www.clashe.com/display/image/full/High_Waisted_Retro_Shorts.jpg?keyword=High_Waisted_Retro_Shorts" alt="High Waisted Retro Shorts" width="280" height="258" /></a>Do you have any favorites in GGR that no lady should live without, what are some wardrobe must haves??</strong></p>
<p>Top on the list, a “little black dress.”  Every gal’s got to have one.  The little black dress is versatile and can be worn to a great dinner party, wedding or funeral.  A pair of high waisted jeans with a nice t-shirt or top is nice; and definitely a belted top coat (think Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca.)  And, don’t forget, if you want to look sleek with no lines and no bulges in the more form fitting fashions (or not), such as a pencil skirt or pencil dress, we offer the Body Magic Shape wear.</p>
<p><strong>What is the next thing you are looking forward to for the business?</strong></p>
<p>Get Go Retro has been growing by leaps and bounds in the short three years we have been in business.  We would definitely like to become a household name.  As far as creating garments, that’s down the road a piece. We will continue to tweak our products and improve in every way we can.  That’s a constant every day thing. We will continue to offer our customers excellent service.  If our customer’s are looking for something specific and we don’t sell it; just let us know, we will try to find it for you through another vendor.  We try to stay open to helping the customer .  Whatever it takes.  If we don’t have it … we will try to get it for you.  After all, we want to help you “Get the style when you go retro!”</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.clashe.com/image/catalog/1041/Sadie_2_PC_Scrunchkini_Swimsuit"><img class="alignleft frame" title="2 pc scrunchkini swimsuit" src="http://www.clashe.com/display/image/full/Sadie_2_PC_Scrunchkini_Swimsuit.jpg?keyword=Sadie_2_PC_Scrunchkini_Swimsuit" alt="2 pc scrunchkini swimsuit" width="181" height="271" /></a>What do you know now that you wish every woman knew, since you first started? </strong></p>
<p>That every  woman wants to look good and feel good in her clothes.  Face it, clothes and how you look are a statement.  Good or bad, it’s you.  Whether you want to dress to the “nines” as a pinup girl or simply wear a pair of cute jeans; clothes will only get you so far.  The one thing we cannot put a price on and sell is confidence.  You have to feel good in your clothes and in your skin.  Second, “a little attitude,” doesn’t hurt and third; you have to create  “your own personal style.”  It’s not just the clothes.  It’s you.  Think about it; Lucille Ball, a beautiful woman who dressed great, but was known for her signature red hair.  Betty Grable; looked great in a swimsuit, and was known for her legs.  Even modern day pinups …. Farrah Fawcett – her golden locks and white teeth;  Cindy Crawford, for the mole above her mouth; and even Kat Von D who is absolutely gorgeous, is known for her Tats.  Whether you have perfect physical assets or imperfections, you need to have the confidence to play them up and turn them into an asset.  That’s confidence; that’s attitude and that’s ultimately your personal style.</p>
<p><strong>Where can we find your collections?</strong></p>
<p>Very easy.  At our website.  <a title="Get Go Retro Website" href="http://www.getgoretro.com">Get Go Retro</a>
<div class='author_box' style='clear: both;'>
<h2 style='margin: 0;'>Author Bio</h2>
<div style='float: left; margin-right: 10px; '><img alt='' src='http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2e5b0165baa23393b38d9d35e3064e75?s=96&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D96&amp;r=G' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></div>
<p>Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.</p></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/cait-lynn-get-go-retro/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mariana Moreno of Branda is Talented and Tenacious</title>
		<link>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/mariana-moreno-branda-is-talented-and-tenacious/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/mariana-moreno-branda-is-talented-and-tenacious/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:34:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Darryl</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[architecture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[argentina]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buenos aires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fashion design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hand knit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[neck warmers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scarves]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.clashe.com/?p=320</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
TALENTED AND TENACIOUS: Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry. If you have what it takes, create your Clashe profile and contact us to be featured in an interview.
Check out Branda&#8217;s Lookbook.
&#160;
Tell us about Branda.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://blog.clashe.com/2010/03/mariana-moreno-branda-is-talented-and-tenacious/" title="Permanent link to Mariana Moreno of Branda is Talented and Tenacious"><img class="post_image alignleft frame" src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Hand_Knitted_Neck-Warmers.jpg" width="268" height="260" alt="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Hand_Knitted_Neck-Warmers.jpg" /></a>
</p><p><strong>TALENTED AND TENACIOUS</strong>: Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry. If you have what it takes, <a title="Create Your Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/register">create your Clashe profile</a> and <a title="Clashe Contact Us" href="http://blog.clashe.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> to be featured in an interview.</p>
<p>Check out <a title="Branda's Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/branda">Branda&#8217;s Lookbook</a>.</p>
<div style="clear: both;">&nbsp;</div>
<p><strong>Tell us about Branda.  How did it get started?  What is important about your brand that customers should notice? </strong><br />
Branda is our hand knitted accessories brand where you can find scarves, neck warmers, hand warmers and head warmers made with different kind of fibers and colors.</p>
<p>We started almost by accident,  we were making these things for ourselves and friends and so we just decided to start offering them for sale.  At first we only knitted simple scarves and over time we had added berets and hats.  Since we started we became more interested in different fibers.  We decide what to offer by thinking about what we look for when we shopping: basic models and colors.</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 184px">
	<strong><strong><a href="http://www.clashe.com/image/catalog/1112/Knitted_Scarf_Lavender"><img title="Knitted Lavendar Scarf" src="http://www.clashe.com/display/image/full/Knitted_Scarf_Lavender.jpg?keyword=Knitted_Scarf_Lavender" alt="Knitted Lavendar Scarf" width="184" height="148" /></a></strong></strong>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Knitted Lavendar Scarf</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Your background is in architecture.   How and why did you decide to go into fashion?</strong><br />
We are so proud of our architecture background which is a good basis for any kind of design.  Fashion involves design, construction, decision making, and it differs from the architecture on the scale but the methods are basically the same.</p>
<p>We are less interested in fashion as a changing phenomenon: we prefer the design of small and classic clothes.  In these times everything seems to be invented and we can see there are two very strong currents.  One is the chaotic that attempts to combine the impossible and sometimes achieves happy results.  Our ideas are more subtle, trying to slowly incorporate new ideas into established themes.</p>
<p><strong>You and your sister are the designers, knitters, models and photographers for your brand.   What have been some of the benefits for being so well rounded? </strong></p>
<p>So far we work alone and as independently as possible for economic reasons.  Knitting is something that we absorbed from our childhood.  In our home women always sewed and hand knitted.  We grew up in an environment of sewing workshops, full pieces of fabric, and sewing machines.  Our grandmothers often competed for who made the best stitch or pledge more sophisticated.   They were the ones who taught us to knit.</p>
<p>The school of architecture gave us a solid foundation in design that allows us to make creative decisions and carry it out.  It also gave us an autocratic vision of our work.  The photography and modeling we learned for the necessity of exposing our work.  We researched and then tried to make pictures that we like.  We are always trying to improve.</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 258px">
	<strong><strong><a href="http://www.clashe.com/image/catalog/1134/Knitted_Neckwarmer_Mustard_Yellow"><img class=" " title="Mustard Yellow Neckwarmer" src="http://www.clashe.com/display/image/full/Knitted_Neckwarmer_Mustard_Yellow.jpg?keyword=Knitted_Neckwarmer_Mustard_Yellow" alt="Mustard Yellow Neckwarmer" width="258" height="208" /></a></strong></strong>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Mustard Yellow Neckwarmer</p>
</div>
<p><strong>All of your products are hand made.  Has that been a challenge to growing your business?  Do you have plans to start having your products manufactured? </strong></p>
<p>We&#8217;ve started knitting commercially 3 years ago but since last year we&#8217;ve started to think about Branda as a possible brand.</p>
<p>Garments hand-knitted although repeated are unique.  It allows a high degree of perfection if you spend the time for revisions.  We like the craft way of doing things step by step.   It has a high cost of time which some customers value, and allows working with rustic elements like hand-spun wool.  The process though opens your mind, because the time dedicated to it allows to think about how the next product can be improved.</p>
<p>Until now our ability to work has been enough to cover the demand.  As emerging artists we are in a formative and learning stage in developing our roles to transfer to potential employees.  We are exploring the possibilities and potential advantages of manufactured products which could allow us to make more items per time.</p>
<p><strong>You are based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Where do most of your customers come from?  How do they find you?</strong></p>
<p>We have customers from USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy and Australia.  In this moment we are exposing all our work just on-line, on Internet. We have our online store on Etsy but not only that, we have a <a title="Branda Clashe Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/branda">Clashe portfolio </a>where we are publishing our last collections.</p>
<p><strong>What is the next thing you are looking forward to in your business? </strong></p>
<p>We still think we have a long way to go.  For the moment we believe that our best means of communication is the Internet.  Our brand is new and not widely known by what we are trying to make us more visible on the web.</p>
<p>With regards to production we are looking at new items to complete our collection of accessories while only using organic fibers.</p>
<p><strong>Where can people find your products?</strong></p>
<p>All our available products are posted on our store on <a title="Branda Etsy Page" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/branda">Etsy Branda </a>
<div class='author_box' style='clear: both;'>
<h2 style='margin: 0;'>Author Bio</h2>
<div style='float: left; margin-right: 10px; '><img alt='' src='http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2e5b0165baa23393b38d9d35e3064e75?s=96&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D96&amp;r=G' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></div>
<p>Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.</p></div>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Jeff Rogers of Strapped Up is Talented and Tenacious</title>
		<link>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/02/jeff-rogers-strapped-up/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/02/jeff-rogers-strapped-up/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:40:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Darryl</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[belts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[denim]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jeff rogers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strappedup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[student]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[waistwear]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.clashe.com/?p=298</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
TALENTED AND TENACIOUS:   Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry.  If you have what it takes, create your Clashe profile and contact us to be featured in an interview.
Check out Strapped Up&#8217;s Lookbook.

Tell [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://blog.clashe.com/2010/02/jeff-rogers-strapped-up/" title="Permanent link to Jeff Rogers of Strapped Up is Talented and Tenacious"><img class="post_image alignleft frame" src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Jeff1.jpg" width="199" height="200" alt="Jeff Rogers of Strapped Up" /></a>
</p><p></a><strong>TALENTED AND TENACIOUS</strong>:   Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry.  If you have what it takes, <a title="Create Your Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/register">create your Clashe profile</a> and <a title="Clashe Contact Us" href="http://blog.clashe.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> to be featured in an interview.</p>
<p>Check out <a title="Strapped Up's Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/strappedup">Strapped Up&#8217;s Lookbook</a>.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/strappedup"><img src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/StrappedUpLogo1-150x150.jpg" alt="Strapped Up Logo" title="Strapped Up Logo" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-304" /></a><strong>Tell us about who the three of you are, give us some insight into how you guys first got into fashion, work history, when you guys decided that this was something you wanted to do, and other things you think we ought to know.</strong></p>
<p>Jeff Rogers, John Rogers, and Matt Wagoner are all students. Jeff is currently a student at Detroit Country Day School and will attend Northwestern University, John attends Northwestern University and Matt attends Duke University. We first got into the fashion world through our t-shirt company, Original Vagabond, which featured original artwork on fashionable tees. We sold the shirts at our high school and through a few local boutiques in the metro Detroit area. We decided that the clothing industry was saturated with small t-shirt companies and went on to focus on belts.</p>
<p>Strapped Up is a new company dedicated to the production of new and creative waistwear. The Strapped Up team got tired of the same black and brown belts and decided to create an alternative that is eye-catching and original</p>
<p><strong>What made you realize that the small t-shirt industry was saturated?  </strong></p>
<p>When you look through the men’s section of a typical clothing boutique, t shirts dominate. With so much competition, it’s increasingly harder to distinguish oneself from the pack. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.clashe.com/image/catalog/1010/The_Revolver_Royal"><img alt="" src="http://www.clashe.com/display/image/full/The_Revolver_Royal.jpg?keyword=The_Revolver_Royal" title="Strapped Up Belts" class="alignleft" width="199" height="200" /></a><strong>What made you decide to go into the belt industry? </strong> </p>
<p>The belt industry is a funny term…to us, it’s a niche market because few companies focus soley on waistwear, as we like to call it. Where they sell denim it makes sense to sell belts. A lot of shoe stores sell socks to get the consumer to complement their new purchase. The philosophy is the same.</p>
<p><strong>Who came up with the idea of including a squirt gun with the belt?  Has it been a successful promotional tool?</strong></p>
<p>The name Strapped Up refers to the belt around your waist. Common slang today uses the term to refer to having a gun. Jeff got the idea to attach a water gun to the belt as a fun, humorous aspect. Yeah, its a little nerdy, but as a customer, you know you&#8217;re going to play with it when you get your belt in the mail.</p>
<p><strong>What is it like starting a fashion business while still being a student?  </strong></p>
<p>As a student who runs a fashion business, we recommend it to other students who are interested in fashion and making money. At Jeff’s high school, students are required to wear a uniform, so a unique belt is one of the few ways for a student to stand out. Facebook and twitter are great ways to spread the word about Strapped Up, because high school students are always using social networking sites. And because our school is small (600 students), we can accredit word of mouth to many sales. </p>
<p><strong>How did you convince your first store to carry you?  What was it like when they agreed to carry your belts?</strong></p>
<p>We were able to convince the first store to carry us because we had previously worked with them with our t shirt company. They are known for their designer denim and welcomed the belts into their store. When they agreed to carry our belts, the dream of Strapped Up became very real. </p>
<p><strong>What is the next thing you are looking forward to in the life of your business?  </strong></p>
<p>The Strapped Up Team is looking forward to adding various elements to future collections, such as custom buckles and the use of materials other than leather. Stay tuned for that!</p>
<p><strong>What is something you know now that you wished you would have known when you first started?  </strong></p>
<p>When we first started, it was difficult to gauge the size ratio we should order. As we continued to sell we used the trends to order accordingly.  </p>
<p><strong>Where can we find your products?</strong></p>
<p>You can buy Strapped Up products directly from Matt, John or Jeff in these locations, <a href="http://www.strappedupwaistwear.com/">online</a> or at a growing number of stores including Caruso Caruso in Birmingham, MI, and Modern Skate and Surf at their locations in the Detroit Metro Area.</p>
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<h2 style='margin: 0;'>Author Bio</h2>
<div style='float: left; margin-right: 10px; '><img alt='' src='http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2e5b0165baa23393b38d9d35e3064e75?s=96&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D96&amp;r=G' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></div>
<p>Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.</p></div>
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		<title>Lola Atobatele of Talflife is Talented and Tenacious</title>
		<link>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/02/lola-atobatele-of-talflife-is-talented-and-tenacious/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/02/lola-atobatele-of-talflife-is-talented-and-tenacious/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:53:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Darryl</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emerging designers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inspriation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lola Atobatele]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.clashe.com/?p=201</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
TALENTED AND TENACIOUS:   Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry.  If you have what it takes, create your Clashe profile and contact us to be featured in an interview.
Check out Lola Antobatele&#8217;s Lookbook.

Tell [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://blog.clashe.com/2010/02/lola-atobatele-of-talflife-is-talented-and-tenacious/" title="Permanent link to Lola Atobatele of Talflife is Talented and Tenacious"><img class="post_image alignleft frame" src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Lola1.jpg" width="200" height="200" alt="Lola Atobatele" /></a>
</p><p><strong>TALENTED AND TENACIOUS</strong>:   Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry.  If you have what it takes, <a title="Create Your Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/register">create your Clashe profile</a> and <a title="Clashe Contact Us" href="http://blog.clashe.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> to be featured in an interview.</p>
<p>Check out <a title="TALFLIFE Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/TALFLIFE">Lola Antobatele&#8217;s Lookbook</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Tell us about Lola. Who are you? Can you give us some insight into how you became started in the industry?</strong><br />
For the designer, I’m a late bloomer. I actually got into fashion by error; my mother was a fabric designer but I was never interested in fashion until my late 20’s. When deciding who and what I wanted to be, it just clicked.</p>
<div id="clashe-image-badge-896" style="float: right; padding-left: 20px;"></div>
<p><strong>You design graphic tights, how did the idea of designing stockings come from?</strong><br />
I do a lot of traveling in China and while I was traveling I was thinking of getting a tattoo. The tattoo artist was <em>really</em> cute; I felt compelled to get one but didn’t have the guts to go through with it. The experience left me thinking, “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could have a tattoo on my stockings rather than my body and therefore change what type of tattoo I wear everyday according to my mood?” The concept was born.</p>
<p><strong>What do you think sets you apart from other designers?</strong><br />
I design my collections according to my instincts and what I do like at that point in time. It’s very intuitive, I go with my gut; I always have. A lot of designers follow trend and pattern predictions. I don’t, I’m a bit of a non-conformist that way.</p>
<p><strong>What has been the best moment in your career thus far?</strong><br />
Being able to make my dream of making my tattoo stockings into a reality.  Creating my line was partly due perceived shock value. The idea that it might frighten my mother to death kinda tickled me, but also frighten me, you know how mothers can be!</p>
<p>I figured that if manufacturers could make colored graphic tights, they should be able to put a design or have the design woven in with the tights. The first batch we produced was ok, but they felt heavy. I wondered if it was possible to have the designed to look like tattoos on the skin. When we perfected the process, I had my “ah-ha!” moment.</p>
<p><strong>What has been the most challenging part about designing?</strong><br />
Coming up with inspiration everyday, which might sound easy and is pretty hard.</p>
<p><strong>What is the next thing you are looking forward to for the business?</strong><br />
Global Domination! I am determined to have my designs worn all over the globe.</p>
<p><strong>What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started?</strong><br />
That it can be very, very lonely at the every step of the way and not just the top. The only way to get over that is to keep on designing by getting inspirations with my travels, environment and everyday life.</p>
<p><strong>When the line launches, where can we buy it?</strong><br />
The stockings collection comes out in April 2010 and you can get it online at <a title="Talflife" href="http://talflife.ning.com">Talflife</a></p>
<p><strong>Beside yourself, who do you think is the next big name?</strong><br />
I love <a title="H &amp; M" href="http://www.hm.com/us/">H &amp; M</a>. I think their collaborations with emerging, indie designers are going to be get bigger and better. I also love the website, <a title="Sense of Fashion" href="http://www.senseoffashion.com">Sense of Fashion</a>.</p>
<p>Check out <a title="TALFLIFE Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/TALFLIFE">Lola Antobatele&#8217;s Lookbook</a>.</p>
<p><script src="http://www.clashe.com/badge/image?id=896" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
 <script src="http://www.clashe.com/badge/profile?screenname=talflife" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
<p><script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
function loadBadges()
{
  clasheImageBadge896();
  clasheProfileBadgeTALFLIFE();
}
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                  loadBadges();
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<div class='author_box' style='clear: both;'>
<h2 style='margin: 0;'>Author Bio</h2>
<div style='float: left; margin-right: 10px; '><img alt='' src='http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2e5b0165baa23393b38d9d35e3064e75?s=96&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D96&amp;r=G' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></div>
<p>Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.</p></div>
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		<title>Fashionably Living:  Fabulous Finds with Heather Polke</title>
		<link>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/01/fashionably-living-fabulous-finds-with-heather-polke/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/01/fashionably-living-fabulous-finds-with-heather-polke/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:58:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Darryl</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heather Polke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mommy Bloggers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[networking tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.clashe.com/?p=139</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
LIVING FASHIONABLY: Fashion is an attitude AND a business.  What does it look like when the business and attitude of fashion is combined into a single lifestyle?  If you are a fashion professional open to sharing your life with the Clashe community, contact us and we look forward to featuring you in an [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://blog.clashe.com/2010/01/fashionably-living-fabulous-finds-with-heather-polke/" title="Permanent link to Fashionably Living:  Fabulous Finds with Heather Polke"><img class="post_image alignleft remove_bottom_margin frame" src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/heather_polke.jpg" width="97" height="130" alt="Heather Polk Image" /></a>
</p><p><em><strong>LIVING FASHIONABLY: </strong>Fashion is an attitude AND a business.  What does it look like when the business and attitude of fashion is combined into a single lifestyle?  If you are a fashion professional open to sharing your life with the Clashe community, <a title="Clashe Contact Us" href="../contact-us/">contact us</a> and we look forward to featuring you in an interview.</em></p>
<p>Heather Polke, the founder and editor for <a href="http://www.thefabulousfinds.com/">The Fabulous Finds</a> has played a big part in the retail world.  She has created two children&#8217;s clothing lines, a handbag line and opened two successful retail stores.</p>
<p>Polke now focuses on creating a buzz for other people, their products, services, and events.  The success of The Fabulous Finds has Heather traveling and reviewing Hotels, Restaurants, Night Hot Spots, Events, Food Tours, Fashion Shows, the possibilities are endless.  If it&#8217;s &#8220;Fabulous&#8221;, Heather wants to write about it.</p>
<p><strong><em>Your blog is in the top 100 of all the mom blogs on the web.  When people hear the term &#8220;blog,&#8221; they instantly think of a  20 year old techno-loving person writing about all things digital.  You blog doesn&#8217;t follow that form; what was it like starting a blog as a mother for mothers?  Wasn&#8217;t that scary?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather: </strong>Not scary one bit. I have always worked for myself. I have done a lot of freelance work for companies from merchandising to buying.  After I sold my handbags business I knew I wanted to come up with a way to stay home and create another niche for myself.  Friends told me about blogging and off I went.  I love what I do and this has been an amazing adventure.</p>
<p><strong><em>Your mission is to find the good in life.  There is so much out there.  With so much negativity,  how do you find the good?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather: </strong>I was one of those people that was sitting home one day and watched &#8220;OPRAH&#8221; Yup! I am one of those moms.  She had a whole show dedicated to a book called  &#8220;The Secret&#8221; I ran right out and bought a copy.  I am not a religious person so I didn&#8217;t know if this was going to be far fetched.  I went as far as having this book be part of a book club I belonged to.</p>
<p>It teaches you to only think about the positive and that good always out ways the bad.  I strongly believe in this.  I try to stay positive.  I love the feeling I get from it.  I try not to complain about the small stuff.  Why yell at someone you don&#8217;t know (road Rrage) or bitch about having a cold.  I smile everyday and I wanted to create this positive blog about Fabulous Products,Events Services etc, to who ever chooses to read it.</p>
<p><strong><em>With three kids, how do you find the time and energy to blog?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather:</strong><em> </em>Well it&#8217;s easy, all three of my kids are in school.  I am in a situation where my 11 year old daughter has type 1 diabetes and that is the main reason I stay home. I am able to be at her school whenever needed by the nurse. So when my kids are off for the day. I work.</p>
<p>When my kids go to bed I work.  I truly am loving every aspect of this.  My family does however come first, but I am creating a  business and I tend to it everyday.  Where do I get the Energy?  Venti Starbucks. and Green Tea.  At night,  maybe a dirty Martini LOL.</p>
<p><strong><em>Our audience will have designers trying to break into the fashion industry.  As a former designer, what were your largest obstacle with getting started?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather:</strong> I would say having people take me seriously.  I would walk from Boutique to Boutique trying to sell what I created.  I followed what was out there and ran in another direction. I found that creating something I had passion for is what got me far.  I would tell anyone trying to break into this business to stick to their vision and not let anyone steer them in a different direction.  <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Love what you do and you will be successful.</span></em> That&#8217;s has always been my motto.</p>
<p><strong><em>What were some of the things that you did to make people take you seriously?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather:</strong> I would say my background.  I know things, product information that they are looking for:  Media kit, Press kit, etc.  This helps.  I have covered everything from disclosures to updating my media kit on a regular basis.  Understanding my Google tracking and Alexa Ranking, Unique visitors, etc. Information is key for landing better companies.</p>
<p><strong><em>Is blogging a solution for fashion designers to get started?  How much work / effort / time should they invest towards blogging?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather:</strong> Blogging is a great way for them to test the market with their wares and write about their day to day efforts.  I would say &#8220;Be true to yourself&#8221;.  Yes! it takes a lot of time for people to trust you.   There are so many blogs out there that focus on the silliest things.  I must say I was one of them at first.   When starting out don&#8217;t worry about followers.   They will come, if what you say is true and honest about who you are as a designer.  STAY FOCUSED!</p>
<p><strong><em>How does blogging fit with your overall business strategy?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather: </strong>Blogging has help immensely.   I have been able to work with some amazing companies.   I do have an extensive retail background so it has helped me in many ways.   I also love the fact that I have come across some amazing people from around the world that I probably would have never encountered if I hadn&#8217;t started this venture.</p>
<p><strong><em>So blogging has been a way for you to collaborate with companies on articles and network with people?  How did these relationships get started?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather:</strong> Blogging has been a great way for me to build my business.   Seeing how my business is blog based, having been a buyer and working for myself for over 12 years, I had a ton of information from wholesalers to where the hot spots are etc.   I have bought at many shows in NYC: Accessories, Children&#8217;s, Fame, NYGF, Toy Fairs etc&#8230;   I had contacts.  I started with them to build my business.   I looked around the blogging world and saw that so many women were trying to tackle this.</p>
<p>I have found it takes a whole lot of knowledge to jump right in.  This goes back to the question of being taken seriously.   I knew I didn&#8217;t want to be a follower but rather use my skills and grow my business with knowledge and creativity from past experiences.   I love to help out other bloggers get started.   Mom-prenuers are my Fav.   They remind me of myself when I started having kids, and trying to create things that I could sell.   If they have something that&#8217;s Fabulous I like to feature them.</p>
<p>Companies now are getting to know me through a network or PR firms.   I have had the honor to work with Epson, New Balance, Bosch, Haan, DXG, Kmart/SEARS, Gap Inc., Piperlime, and many more.   I have build this up and now companies are coming to me to be part of my site and advertise.</p>
<p><strong><em>If people wanted to get involved with your blog or business, what can they do to contribute?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather:</strong> They just have to <a title="Contact Heather Polke" href="mailto:hpolke@comcast.net">contact me</a>, visit <a title="The Fabulous Finds" href="http://www.thefabulousfinds.com">The Fabulous Finds</a>, or <a title="Follow the Fabulous Finds on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/thefabulousfind">follow me</a> on Twitter.  I am open to anything as long as it&#8217;s positive and respectful.  I am all for it.  Bring it on.  I am always looking for Events, Travels, Hotels, Services, Products, Spas, Pet, Designers, Debutes, Shows, Restaurants, etc.</p>
<p><strong><em>Who do you think should be the next person we should talk with to inspire others?</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Heather:</strong> Laurie. The owner of <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/">Tip Junkie</a> she is amazing.
<div class='author_box' style='clear: both;'>
<h2 style='margin: 0;'>Author Bio</h2>
<div style='float: left; margin-right: 10px; '><img alt='' src='http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2e5b0165baa23393b38d9d35e3064e75?s=96&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D96&amp;r=G' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></div>
<p>Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.</p></div>
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		<title>Fashionably Living: Interview with Eyelash Model Julie Hill</title>
		<link>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/01/fashionably-living-eyelash-model-julie-hill/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/01/fashionably-living-eyelash-model-julie-hill/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:54:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Darryl</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Author]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Journalist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julie Hill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Model]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.clashe.com/?p=143</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
LIVING FASHIONABLY: Fashion is an attitude AND a business.  What does it look like when the business and attitude of fashion is combined into a single lifestyle?  If you are a fashion professional open to sharing your life with the Clashe community, contact us and we look forward to featuring you in an interview.
Julie Hill [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://blog.clashe.com/2010/01/fashionably-living-eyelash-model-julie-hill/" title="Permanent link to Fashionably Living: Interview with Eyelash Model Julie Hill"><img class="post_image alignleft remove_bottom_margin frame" src="http://blog.clashe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/julie_hill.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Post image for Fashionably Living: Interview with Eyelash Model Julie Hill" /></a>
</p><p><em><strong>LIVING FASHIONABLY: </strong>Fashion is an attitude AND a business.  What does it look like when the business and attitude of fashion is combined into a single lifestyle?  If you are a fashion professional open to sharing your life with the Clashe community, <a title="Clashe Contact Us" href="../contact-us/">contact us</a> and we look forward to featuring you in an interview.</em></p>
<p>Julie Hill has a Clashe Profile.   <a title="Julie Hill Clashe Profile" href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/juliehill">Check it out</a>!</p>
<p>Born and raised in McAlester, Oklahoma, Julie Hill’s fervency for serving others came from her parents, who were both social workers.  Always an avid learner and writer, she left her civilian job with the US Army to make her mark in Hollywood.</p>
<p>Merging her passion for bringing hope and motivation to those around her with her eagerness to see media influence transformational activism, Julie is fast becoming a solid voice on positive self-esteem and personal leadership for a youthful generation.</p>
<p>A young entrepreneur who adores learning new things, Julie draws from her widespread working experiences in the music, film, business, and cosmetic fields, having worked for Jennifer Lopez and Rodney “Darkchild” and Joy Jerkins, several films, the United States Army, and JB Cosmetics. Julie currently lives out her grand adventure in Los Angeles, California.</p>
<p><em>You&#8217;ve got your hand in so many things.  How did this journey get started and evolve over time? </em></p>
<p><strong>Julie Hill: </strong>Working in the cosmetic world actually began rather by accident!  I had just finished working with a non-profit organization full-time and was looking for some freelance work to pick up until I could decide which step to take next for my life.  A friend knew that I was looking, and asked if I would want to fill in for a girl who was working at a trade show for a cosmetic company.  I gave an exuberant “Yes!”, and the rest, as they say, is history.</p>
<p><em>What was it like when the opportunity to work with LashFood came up?</em></p>
<p><strong>Julise Hill: </strong>Haha, a little intimidating, actually.  I’ve always worked in business, not sales, so I wasn’t sure how it would go.  But the staff at JB Cosmetics was so amazing &#8211; they set me up for success, and it has been a privilege to work with them ever since.</p>
<p>I’ve certainly seen a whole other side to the cosmetic company world that I knew existed but had no idea what it looked like.  I’ve learned a lot about the business side of the cosmetic world, and seen the ins and outs as to how the latest products go from being just an idea to becoming the latest and greatest on the market.</p>
<p><em>Is modeling what you expected it to be? </em></p>
<p><strong>Julie Hill: </strong>Well, I didn’t set out to be a model, so it certainly has me surprised.  The great thing is that in my line of work, it’s handling the business side as well, so it’s not dog-eat-dog like it might be in other lines of work.  Yes, I model the product, but I’m there to also help the customer.  I think that’s where the joy of my job comes in &#8211; I can sell a product that I truly believe in because I’ve seen it work in my life as I have used it.</p>
<p><em>What has been the most challenging part about modeling?</em></p>
<p><strong>Julie Hill: </strong>I spent 3 years with the army.  4 years in college.  Now the most difficult thing I do is blink&#8230;  just kidding!</p>
<p>I think starting out, the most challenging part for me was jumping full-force into the cosmetic world having no experience with it whatsoever.  Thankfully, the staff knew what I could handle and challenged me to learn as I went.  As they saw me grow, they gave me more responsibility.</p>
<p><em>It sounds like the key to your success has been a nurturing learning environment. For people starting out in their careers, how can they find similar opportunities?</em></p>
<p>The best thing you can do for yourself and for others is to serve.  It sounds counter-intuitive, but if you will first tutor yourself in the ways of not fighting for yourself and the spotlight, those whom you are serving will be blessed, and you will have the joy that comes with that satisfaction. Once that joy has come, people will want you (the hard-working, generous person) working for them, and there will be no stopping you!</p>
<p><em>What is the next thing you are looking forward to in your career? </em></p>
<p><strong>Julie Hill: </strong>I’m actually publishing my first book &#8211; a self-motivator book on relationships, emotions, and personal leadership.  I am all about inspiring young women to be the best that they can be and I’m excited to get the word out about how they can do just that!</p>
<p><em>If people wanted to get involved with some of your projects. </em></p>
<p><strong>Julie Hill: </strong>Currently I&#8217;m excited about finding ways to reach out to young women.  I&#8217;m currently working with two films that both deal with the power that young people have to change the world and make differences in their communities, and I am working to get that message out in practical ways.  For those interested in how they can make a difference, they can <a href="mailto:julie.be.me@gmail.com">contact me</a>.</p>
<p><em>Besides yourself, who is the next shooting star?</em></p>
<p>Julie Hill: <a href="http://fashionbeyondfashion.blogspot.com/2010/01/cat-power.html"> Anna Estella</a>.  She is a fantastic fashion designer who is going for her dreams and taking fashion above and beyond to a whole other level!</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.clashe.com/profile/juliehill">Julie Hill&#8217;s Clashe Profile</a>!</p>
<p><script src="http://clashe.com/badge?screenname=juliehillamp;width=200" type="text/javascript"></script>
<div class='author_box' style='clear: both;'>
<h2 style='margin: 0;'>Author Bio</h2>
<div style='float: left; margin-right: 10px; '><img alt='' src='http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2e5b0165baa23393b38d9d35e3064e75?s=96&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D96&amp;r=G' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></div>
<p>Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.</p></div>
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		<title>Looking for Interviewees:  Talented and Tenacious and Living Fashionably</title>
		<link>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/01/looking-for-interviewees-talented-and-tenacious-and-living-fashionably/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.clashe.com/2010/01/looking-for-interviewees-talented-and-tenacious-and-living-fashionably/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:41:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Darryl</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emerging designers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fashion industry]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.clashe.com/?p=129</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As much as Clashe is an awesome tool for building a website for free, we feel that the Clashe community is the most important asset we&#8217;re building.   And as we&#8217;re forming relationships, it behooves us to capture your stories, experiences and skills and broadcast these interviews to the world.   So if you&#8217;re up [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>As much as Clashe is an awesome tool for building a website for free, we feel that the Clashe community is the most important asset we&#8217;re building.   And as we&#8217;re forming relationships, it behooves us to capture your stories, experiences and skills and broadcast these interviews to the world.   So if you&#8217;re up for it, we&#8217;re looking for interviewees.</p>
<p><strong>TALENTED AND TENACIOUS</strong>:   Tenacious and Talented is about featuring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs that have the skills, resilience and portfolio to make headway into the fashion industry.  If you have what it takes, <a title="Create Your Lookbook" href="http://www.clashe.com/register">create your Clashe profile</a> and <a title="Clashe Contact Us" href="http://blog.clashe.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> to be featured in an interview.</p>
<p><strong>LIVING FASHIONABLY: </strong>Fashion is an attitude AND a business.  What does it look like when the business and attitude of fashion is combined into a single lifestyle?  If you are a fashion professional open to sharing your life with Clashe, <a title="Clashe Contact Us" href="http://blog.clashe.com/contact-us/">contact us</a> and we look forward to featuring you in an interview.</p>
<p>If you know of anybody that fits these descriptions and can make an introduction for us, <a title="Clashe Contact Us" href="http://blog.clashe.com/contact-us/">let us know</a> we&#8217;d love to hear from you.
<div class='author_box' style='clear: both;'>
<h2 style='margin: 0;'>Author Bio</h2>
<div style='float: left; margin-right: 10px; '><img alt='' src='http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/2e5b0165baa23393b38d9d35e3064e75?s=96&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D96&amp;r=G' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></div>
<p>Darryl had a problem. He needed to find clothing that was relevant to him, appropriate for where he was going, popular and affordable. He couldn’t find an answer on Google, Wikipedia, Dictionary.com or Flickr. So he started building Clashe.</p></div>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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