Question: Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live.
Answer: My name is Valarie, nickname Vee. Lots of people ask, "What's the connection between the two names?" Well, Vee is the short spelling for V or Valarie, it’s my glamour name among my family and friends, it sounds like my name, it’s how my mum pronounces my name, the list goes on! I'm 19. I'm currently helping my mum on our shop. But, will be continuing my study in Fashion Designer next year. I probably won't graduate for a long time. I write the blog, I design the fashion and I wear it myself.
Question: How did you first get interested in fashion and why is it important?
Answer: I think I first got into fashion when I was about 15 or 16. Its pretty much coincided with two other events in my life: my first part time job & getting hooked onto Gossip Girl. Put two and two together and you have a teenager with a love for shopping. I think fashion is important because it has the intrinsic ability to make people feel good about themselves and express themselves. Fashion can inspire. To see someone wear something they love and the self - confidence they can gain from being happy about themselves - that's priceless!
Question: What are your passions?
Answer: I love all things creative. I love fashion, graphic design, photography. I like styling outfits, sketching clothing/accessory designs (I'm bad at drawing, but I understand what I am trying to convey at least!), experimenting with my DSLR, editing photos, etc. I absolutely LOVE vintage things. If you see me in 10 years, I'll probably be some kind of vintage hoarder. I'll probably have cupboards full of old cameras and vintage bags, stuff; such as skirt, belt, dress. But mostly vintage stuff that I have is from my mum and my late grandma. Its old, but cool. I hope to bring all my interests together and be able to work in a job that I am passionate about. I think I'm pretty set on wanting to work in the fashion industry.
Question: Where are you from?
Answer: I'm from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia for sure. I've lived here all my life and for me it's one of the best cities to live in the world! Cause its full of flora and fauna. The island are totally cool and awesome. What can I say is, fresh air comes from here. But I live in Singapore too before, around 1 or 1 and a half years. I hate to say it, but take that, New York! I joke, New York is one of my favorite cities in the world. But yeah, I never been there before but I wish to go there.
Question: What do you love about living in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia?
Answer: Ohh, that's a good question. Well, I love the fresh air and opened spaces! I think we take it for granted sometimes. And what I love the most is, the island. Its totally WOW me yup. Cause I will surely go for a scuba diving in the island. I've been doing that for 5 or 7 times? Or maybe more than that. But, easy say. Sabah is cool. But, every city in the world have their own coolness, and I love all of it!
Question: Describe your personal style and its influences/inspiration.
Answer: I think it's quite vintage inspired/girly. It's sort of hard to describe as I like a lot of different looks. Some typical things I love wearing include florals, tan browns, shoulder bags, lace-up boots, fringing, headbands/hats/hair wreaths, lots of colours, lots of patterns and prints, denim, tights, socks, wedges. I like wearing bright colours; they make me happy, though sometimes I dress down a bit if I'm just going to class. I'm influenced by the 70’s. Love the hippie sort of look. Finding a piece of beautiful vintage often inspires me to try a whole new style. So I guess I'm inspired by that as well. Also just other fashion bloggers and street fashion! I think I like observing that more than I like watching fashion shows. The street is the new runway.
Question: What is your favorite designers and places to shop?
Answer: Wow, I love this question! Well, I have answer for this. But let me give the best answer. My favourite designers would have to be Arabella Ramsay and Alannah Hill. They are totally cool. One day, I promise I'm gonna be like them. I promise to myself, my parents and for my friends on that. All I need is hard work, stay in the correct way & support from people surrounding me. Places I like to shop would be, Asos, Topshop, ModCloth as well as Ebay. I also love shopping vintage. So anywhere I can find more of that, as well as my local shopping centre or bundle. I like Topshop's concession brands, American Apparel and Forever21.
Question: What is the first thing you look at in another person's outfit is?
Answer: Probably the way he/she combine the style.
Question: What fashion rules that you always break?
Answer: I've never really thought there were any 'rules' as such. I mean things I've heard of, such as "Never wear navy/black or brown/black together," I do quite a bit. I think as long as you like what you wear, rules don't really needed anymore.
Question: What fashion rules that you will never break?
Answer: Hmmm, let me think. Leggings as pants.
Question: For you, what is the most underrated item in menswear and womenswear?
Answer: For menswear, probably bowties. I think they look awesome. For womenswear, sweater clips, I have been collecting them and they are the best but not many people wear them anymore.
Question: What is your favorite colour(s) of the moment are?
Answer: Bottle green, ivory, bright red, light pink, orange and gray.
Question: Are there any fashion icons or famous people whose style you admire?
Answer: Probably will be Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Alexa Chung, Vanessa Hudgens. Some of my favourite models are Alice Burdeu, Gemma Ward & Silvana Roman. They are, superb bass awesome!
Question: What can't you live without?
Answer: Food would be an obvious one & fashion or my cellphone and internet!
Question: Next place you want to travel to and why?
Answer: Without a doubt, New York! I don't just want to travel there, I want to live there. I want to immerse myself in the culture, try out those huge-sized meal portions that everyone talks about, shop my heart out, visit the markets, live in an apartment, study there. The city is so beautiful and I really can't get over that.
Question: What would you say to someone seeking fashion advice?
Answer: Wear what you are comfortable with and what you like yourself, not what others like. I think above all, your confidence and the way you carry yourself speaks volumes more than what you are wearing.
Question: Whats the last word for the people out there?
Answer: Hmmm, nothing much. We don't have to follow other people style, or other people beauty. We are beauty in our way and nothing to shame with it.
Lots of Love,
Valarie J.