Fashionista and Francophile, Milla Msa

Fashionista and Francophile Milla Msa is the lovely lady behind Not Just Another Milla, an unashamedly girly blog which features “tasty treats, style and frolics straight from the City of Lights”. Besides reviews of the French capital’s chicest hotels, restaurants and salons de thé, Mademoiselle Msa shares her latest beauty finds, her thoughts on the fashion editorials of Vogue Paris et al., as well as her tips on where to enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea. A perfect mélange of fashion and food, Not Just Another Milla will add some of that utterly French je ne sais quoi to your day.

Over a chocolat chaud and macarons, we quizzed Milla about her favourite blogs, her love-hate relationship with her adopted hometown, and why Jimmy Choo’s creations are the most comfortable heels to run in. Follow Milla on Twitter @notjamilla.

When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging when I moved to Paris… I didn’t know anybody and so I used the blogging as a way to kind of interact with the outside world. I was reading English and American blogs and I decided “Yep I’m going to start my own”. My blog was more about my discovery of Paris… I guess it still is the evolution of Milla in Paris.

What’s your blog about?

It’s definitely not a personal blog; I don’t write about relationships or family or anything like that but it’s still my view. I would never write about anything that I haven’t experienced. What I always try to do with my blog is be honest: if I like something I love it, if I don’t then you’ll know. I just want to give a first-hand experience of Paris, my Paris.

Who inspires you?

I’m always inspired by people who do things they don’t have to do. I’m not interested in celebrities at all, but when I hear about a celebrity doing something for charity…that’s quite inspiring because they really don’t have to. I like the average person on the street doing something nice for other people. It’s nice to see that the human spirit still exists.

What’s your day job?

Blogging is my day job!

What do your family and friends think about your blog?

My friends think it’s amazing, they love the idea of blogging… not that they think that the blog is amazing – they think the blogging is amazing just to rectify! None of them blog, some of them are on Facebook, none of them have ever used Twitter so when they see my blog it’s “Oh my God what is this thing?! How come you have comments? Who’s commenting? Who are these people, you don’t know these people?” So it’s kind of surreal for them. My parents think it’s really great, they think it’s fun and it’s a great way for them to see what I’m doing, which is really why I started the blog as well; to stay in touch.

Do you read any other blogs?

I love Cupcakes and Cashmere. There’s also an illustrator who designed the header of my blog, her name is Maya Beus. I love her blog because not only does she do the illustrations for it but she also writes about real topics and about her own personal experiences without giving away too many intimate details.

How do you use Twitter and has it changed your blog?

Twitter has definitely changed my blog. I use Twitter to promote my blog; I’ll add links to past posts but it’s also a great way to find out about other blogs, about people in Paris, people in London, people all over the world. I would definitely recommend it. If you’re not on Twitter you need to be!

What couldn’t you live without?

I think people can live without anything. We only need food, water, love…but I don’t think we need any materialistic possessions. But still, don’t come to my house and steal my clothes!

How do you stay motivated?

I like connecting with people. My favourite part of blogging is the comments. Being able to see what other people see through my blog and to interact with them. I always reply to people who comment on the blog, I think it’s a great way to stay connected.

Stylish blogger Milla on her travels...

Typical blog wardrobe?

I always wear lipstick when I blog, I don’t know why. It’s my blogger uniform I guess.

Blog soundtrack?

Complete silence.

Favourite European city and why?

It’s hard because I have a love-hate relationship with Paris actually. I love Paris in the winter, definitely. As long as there’s no rain and you can just walk around…it’s just the most beautiful place in the west.

What do you think is the biggest problem in British society today and what is the most positive thing?

Multiculturalism is very important and wonderful. That is the environment I grew up in and that made me very open-minded. I think when you grow up in a place that is multicultural you realise that everyone’s the same. I think the worst part is – and this is very British actually – we feel the need to be politically correct all the time, and often it’s to our detriment.

Do you ever get blog block?

Well it’s only happened twice actually and it’s usually when I’ve had a negative experience. I had a negative experience with another blogger once and it made me think about giving up blogging. I’m glad I didn’t.

Dream purchase?

Oh my goodness! A Birkin in camel.

Desert island blogs?

The Family Table; a lady in Canada…started the blog as a way to record family recipes for her children when they grow up. There’s a kind of innocence there, a family spirit, she talks about cooking healthy delicious food and I love it. And Style’N – she’s a working mum in Boston but she has the most fabulous wardrobe. It’s the perfect blend: there’s food, there’s fashion, there’s a little bit of travel and you get to peek into her world.

Is blogging a viable career?

I think it definitely can be and I think there are some major bloggers these days who can pay their rent and have a good life from blogging. I think it depends on what type of person and what type of blogger you are. I think to a certain degree you have to bend the truth but a lot of people don’t want to read the truth they just want to read the nice stuff. When it comes to fashion blogging I think it’s very easy to build a career from that. Things like travel and food however are a little bit more tricky.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In an ideal world I’d be in Tokyo blogging about a wonderful life of food, fashion and travel…Alternatively I would be in London doing exactly the same thing! I lived in Tokyo before and other than London it’s the only place I feel at home.

Can you run in heels?

I can run in heels, I can spend 12 hours dancing the night away in heels but only Jimmy Choos – those are the most comfortable…well worth every single penny!

Milla's exploits in afternoon tea at l’Hôtel de Crillon and the Shangri-La hotel in Paris; and at The Dorchester hotel in London...

Carrie Harwood: the face behind the blog

The face of the wonderfully whimsical Wish Wish Wish is none other than Carrie Harwood, a very fashionable gal who moved to London from her native Somerset to study Fashion Design, Styling and Promotion. Since the début of her blog in 2008, Carrie has seen a fairly stratospheric rise to prominence, winning the Cosmopolitan Blog Award for Best Fashion & Style Blog in 2010, and gaining thousands of followers and fans in the process. Why? It could be her beautiful retro-tinged images, photogenic looks and chic sense of style, or perhaps the fun, friendly – and approachable tone of Wish Wish Wish – assuring us that despite her popularity, Carrie’s fashionably-shod feet are very firmly on the ground. We took a moment to find out all about films stars, sweaty gigs, but above all – all about Carrie!

When and why did you start blogging?

I started my blog in 2008, when I was just 17. I had always existed on the internet in some form, making websites or posting my pictures on Livejournal, so it seemed like a natural progression. I read blogs, and thought: ‘Hey, I can do this too!’

What’s your blog about?

The world of Carrie. It sounds terribly narcissistic, but when I began, I didn’t have many people reading; it was just like writing a diary – somewhere to post my thoughts. Now I’m blessed with lots of lovely readers, and my blog has really become my creative outlet. It’s my passion, I get to direct, style, and model in my own mini-photoshoots.

Who inspires you?

Everybody from other bloggers to 60′s film stars and fashionable people that I see on the streets of London – they all inspire me in different ways.

What’s your day job?

I’m currently still at university studying Fashion Promotion! So it’s very interesting getting to see it all from a blogger’s point of view as well – the way brands are becoming aware of us, and our value and potential.

What do your family and friends think about your blog?

My family are very proud of everything I’ve achieved with my blog, that and it’s also a useful tool which lets them see what I’ve been up to if I’ve left it a while without calling. As for friends, most of mine have blogs anyway – and so of course they understand when I have to stop to take pictures of cakes… or flowers, or something!

Do you read any other blogs?

Yes, of course. I read lots! I couldn’t possibly name my favourites either – it’s like picking your favourite child. There are blogs I have read for years and years!

How do you use Twitter and has it changed how you blog?

Usually to post useless things like what I’m having for tea, but at the same time it’s a great way of letting your followers know you have a new post up, or talking directly to readers or other bloggers. It’s such a useful networking tool!

What couldn’t you live without?

My computer… and camera. Typical blogger.

How do you stay motivated?

By reading other fabulous blogs that inspire me to try and create equally as beautiful content; and by the sweet readers that email me, thanking me for the time I put in. It can be difficult to stay motivated, but the rewards make it worth it.

Blog soundtrack?

I strangely listen to music that really really doesn’t fit with my blogs aesthetic at all, but it makes me happy. You’re probably expecting me to say something boring like She & Him because Zooey Deschanel is ‘like, my hero’. But that couldn’t be further from the truth – there is nothing I like more than going to sweaty, loud gig where I can shout all the words until I lose my voice. Arcane Roots – Left Fire, is my soundtrack!

Favourite European city and why?

I fell in love with Paris when I was there. It used to be London, but I think living and working in a city can take the charm out of it sometimes. Paris is just so beautiful, and everybody looks wonderful too. I can’t wait to go back.

Do you ever get blog block?

There is always something I’m itching to post about or photograph, the problem is a lack of time, not a lack of ideas!

Dream purchase?

A 50mm 1.2 lens. I’m such a blogger.

Desert island blog?

Eek, tough! Hjartesmil – her photos are beautiful, as are her words.

Is blogging a viable career?

Yes, I don’t see why not. If we’re producing work that is just as good as other photographers/art directors/stylists/journalists etc all at once, then that should be acknowledged. It’s a bit of a touchy subject at the moment as nobody really understands what’s ethical and the right way to go about it. Watch this space…

Where do you see yourself in five years?

As long as I’m doing something I love, I don’t mind!

Can you run in heels?

Nope – I’m rubbish in heels. Brogues all the way!

On Wish Wish Wish, Carrie styles, snaps and stars in her own photoshoots - these are some of our recent favourites...

What does your status say about you?

These days, nearly everybody has a Facebook account, many of us are on Twitter, and social networking has become firmly entrenched in our everyday lives. Facebook may be a valuable tool for keeping track of events, remembering birthdays, and staying up to date with our friends, but what role does it play in our love lives?

Thanks to Facebook, it’s possible to find out all about potential partners, even before you’ve had your first date. The wonders of ‘facestalking’, as it has become known, mean that we can browse the pages of people we’re interested in, whether admiring their profile pictures or clicking through their interests to see if we’re compatible. And even when you’re well past the first date stage, Facebook makes it possible to find out far more about our partners than they may want to share. Rather than having the dreaded and often uncomfortable conversation about why their last relationship ended, we can open the ex-files on our own by browsing through their Facebook history: every photograph, every wall post, every loved-up status, is there to view.

One of the key ways social networking has changed modern relationships is Facebook’s relationship status tool. For many, changing your status has become a way of signifying the end of the ‘dating’ period and the start of the ‘relationship’. It’s a public declaration of your feelings that all your friends can view and, if they feel the need, comment on. Some people choose to hide their relationship status altogether: others declare themselves single and open to offers. Absurd US boyband Heart2Heart have recently taken the internet by storm with their so-cheesy-it-must-be-a-joke song ‘Facebook Official’, encouraging the girl of their dreams to ‘put a heart on [her] page.’

As well as opening the doors for people to make public commitments, the casual and detached nature of Facebook and Twitter make it all too easy to dabble in flirtatious banter – and easier still for your other half to find out. From finding out your partner has been ‘liking’ a few too many of someone’s photos to feeling jealous of their retweets, social networks are full of potential relationship problems. In recent years a number of celebrities have got into hot water over their online banter: Jason Manford, for example, famously disgraced himself by exchanging lewd messages with female fans over Twitter.

There’s no doubt that the advent of social networking has made all of us used to having an audience: our inner monologues have been replaced by tweets and status updates, and there is a general compulsion to over share. All too often this spills over into our love lives, making social networks a minefield of public displays of affection, from his ‘n’ hers profile pictures to excited tweets boasting about perfect dates. Isn’t it possible that things were more romantic when love was a little more private – when we penned love letters rather than ‘liking’ each other’s statuses and tweeting sweet nothings.

There are many though, who feel that the changes made to our love lives by social networks are positive. Lucy, who is in her forties, says: ‘I met my new partner online – a friend of a friend on Facebook. We both have failed marriages or relationships behind us and neither were looking for a relationship – it just happened.’ As well as opening the doors for new romance, many couples have made social networking a part of their relationship. Comedienne Caitlin Moran recently spoke of her enjoyment of watching television with her husband, while both tweeted away about what they were viewing.

It’s clear that social networks have changed our relationships to a certain extent, and it’s impossible to avoid that. They’ve altered the way we interact with our friends: perhaps it was inevitable that they would change the way we interacted with our partners, too. But when it comes to romantic dinners and first kisses, at least there’s no substitute for the real thing: at least, until someone invents an app for it.

Heart2Heart’s so-cheesy-it-must-be-a-joke song ‘Facebook Official’

Pretty objects on the Treasure Hunter

The blogosphere is a busy place, that’s for sure. And with so many bloggers tapping away on their keyboards and sharing expertise on their niche topic, it’s easy to think that you might be missing a gem of a blog out there. However, I’m sharing my very own Little Blog Book – the top five sites that you simply must visit, whether fashion, beauty, gadgets or food is your vice.

Charade

Charade, created by English Literature and Creative Writing graduate Megan, is described as a blog for stylish, successful students surviving on a budget. But in my opinion, Charade is an inspirational read for anyone, whether you’re a student or a twenty-something already embroiled in the daily nine to five.

From the Ultimate Geek’s Guide to Fashion Budgeting  to top tips on enriching your day – the blog offers lots of practical advice, complemented by a selection of beautiful images. One of Megan’s regular posts is called Words to Live By, and I always take a look when this pops into my inbox, as the quotes she features – from the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Coco Chanel and  Charlotte Bronte – prompt a pause for thought.

The Treasure Hunter

A blog about ‘stuff’ – The Treasure Hunter is a perfect read for those who like objects; be it jewellery, accessories, beauty buys or any other curio you might find lurking in your home. Usually, the objects featured have a quirky, unique twist and you won’t find them in your average high-street store.

Blogger Jenny hunts down anything and everything  – my personal favourites being this butterfly artwork , these fabulous patterned storage pots and also these pretty jelly moulds. Definitely worth a look if you have spare cash to splurge!

Makeup Savvy

For all the beauty junkies out there, Makeup Savvy is a blog worth bookmarking and has even featured as Escentual’s blog of the week. Focusing on low-cost beauty products, it’s a make-up bible for the girl next door who wants to stay on trend on a budget.

Regular blog posts include Nail of the Day,  which will leave you spoilt for choice on which varnish to part your cash with, and Monthly Favourites, brimming with the latest lotions, creams, powders and lipsticks. The posts are picture-led and the blog is easy to navigate, too.

Girl Geek Chic

Love gadgets? Then Girl Geek Chicis worth a click. Winner of Cosmopolitan’s best gadgets and technology blog in 2010 – Girl Geek Chic was created by technology writer and tv presenter Nikki Moore.

Featuring tips, reviews, guides and a forum, not to mention its very own problem page Dear Girl Geek, there’s lots of useful information on this site. What I particularly like is that it has five ‘chic’ categories – eco, baby, love, beauty and sport – making it easy to find relevant posts. From recycled cardboard bikes to bubble spas – you’re bound to find something on here to tickle your fancy.

Cannelle et Vanille

Foodies will salivate at the sheer thought of visiting this blog, which was something of an overnight success when it first launched. Cannelle et Vanille is edited by Spanish pastry chef Aran Goyoaga and it’s worth a peek, just for the fantastic photography alone.

Gluten Free Glazed Sour Orange and Coconut Pudding Cakes, Milk Jam and Chocolate Meringue Cookies, Fig and Champagne Sabayon Gratin and Creamy Potato, Celery Root and Sunchoke Soup with Purple Potato Chipsare just a few of the wonderful recipes available on the site. It’s no surprise that Aran is currently working on her own cookbook, due to be published next year.

Orange and Coconut Pudding Cakes, Celery Root and Sunchoke Soup with Purple Chips, and Fig and Champagne Sabayon Gratin

Overwhelmed by the plethora of social networks?

Two weeks ago, my laptop died a death, and is now in the depths of an IT workshop. For the past nights, I have woken up from a terrible dream in which it lies disembowelled on a workbench, being frantically revived by furiously sweating men in white overalls, who periodically scream things like ‘It’s no good! The hard drive’s gone! She’s a vegetable! We have to know when to let GO!’  Between bouts of depression, I sent a text round to friends explaining why there would be an uncharacteristic lack of online response from me for up to a month. One fellow geek replied immediately. ‘Oh man – that’s like losing a limb’. I appreciated the sentiment, but he hadn’t quite got it. I felt more like I’d been silenced. As if I’d lost an invisible, but very real, tongue. I couldn’t tweet, blog, status update or simply swap picture over chat. I was back to being 15 years old and without my own technology, and I simply cannot remember what I did without social media – how I kept in touch with people, wasted empty hours or found new pictures of fat kittens in Japan. Without me realising, Web 2.0 had taken over my life.

But perhaps I shouldn’t have been so shocked. Social media is, after all, the fastest growing technology around. As of July this year, Facebook had over 750 million users worldwide, with 30 billion pieces of content being shared each month. 53 billion minutes was spent on Facebook in May 2011, 50% of UK users log in daily, and 1 in 8 users go straight from Facebook to another social media site: Twitter, once only for cutting edge techies and media peeps, now with over 200 million users; LinkedIn, an increasingly popular way of networking with a growing base of 120 million; or one of dozens of others: Scribd, Google plus, Flickr, Myspace. Not since the internet itself has something changed so drastically how we spend our time – and not since the invention of the telephone has something changed how we can interact with others.

And unsurprisingly some people are a bit terrified of this. Less than ten years ago, it was simply Myspace and Bebo: teen-orientated sites which focused mainly on exchanging simple messages and the odd angst-ridden blog. Now social media encompasses every aspect of life for anyone from schoolchildren to silver surfers: LinkedIn covers your career, Flickr and Scribd your artistic efforts, Twitter your useless meanderings and Facebook everything in between: previews of the new profiles, being unveiled this month, show that it covers and displays everything from the day you were born to your graduation ceremony. Social media is no longer something only the geeky do: everyone does it, and once you’re in, it’s virtually impossible to go without editing your online presence. The temptation is overwhelming: make sure your degree is up if you want to show off your grade; delete that photo of you with half a glass of wine all over you and half a bottle inside you; make a profile picture of the one taken in low light somewhere glamorous. List endless bands you like, even if you don’t, and make sure you put the smartest sounding books in your favourites list (no-one really likes The Unbearable Lightness of Being, you know).

The Daily Mail, as usual, was one of the first to make a fuss about this, reporting in 2010 the results of a study which found that ‘those who spent more time updating their profile on the social networking site were more likely to be narcissists’. According to the study of 100 students, by York University in Canada, the site provides a perfect setting for the vain to monitor their appearance and how many friends they have while avoiding any real human contact and empathy. Men tend to boost their profile with written posts, while women tended to carefully select the photos on their profile. Those with the lowest self-esteem were found to visit their site the most often. We all recognise this – everyone either has or is the friend who detags ruthlessly at a mere hint of a double chin or unplucked eyebrow, or knows of that one macho idiot who posts his running times or weights lifted after every workout (usually followed by a sentence which brings up the really unwanted image of them ‘hitting the showers’). But, as is usual for the Mail, they were reporting half-arsedly on an already acknowledged truth. Of course vain people constantly manipulate their own image – they’re vain, and that’s what vain people do. Elizabeth I was de-tagging way back in the 1500s: she had unflattering portraits of her burned whilst enthusiastically commissioning those which showed her as a powerful empress. In revolutionary Russia, Stalin took a break from oppressing the people to remove rival Trotsky from photographs, and create fake images of he and Lenin enjoying cosy garden parties.

What is new, however, is the growing number of people who now have a public identity to manipulate. It’s not surprising that leaders and politicians engage in propaganda, but anyone who has ever edited their facebook profile is effectively doing the same thing: we have become benign but obsessive dictators of our own images. Facebook expects you to portray a persona: it used to flash up a huge, bewildered question mark when a user didn’t display a profile picture, and it still encourages you to post interests, likes and activities, despite professing to be a medium to connect with people who would already know this information. Status updates and tweets on whatever’s on your mind, and responses to them, give a ridiculous importance to what only a short while ago would have seemed idiotic. It’s unimaginable that in the year 2000, people would have texted everyone on their contact list just to tell them they were sitting down to warmed up soup, to watch a DVD or to cut their toenails.

Twitter: devoid of cohesive narrative?

It’s this sort of constant manipulation of one’s image which could believably be damaging. Eminent scientist Baroness Greenfield told the House of Lords that social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter “are devoid of cohesive narrative and long-term significance. As a consequence, the mid-21st century mind might almost be infantilised, characterised by short attention spans, sensationalism, inability to empathise and a shaky sense of identity”. She also put forward that “[such sites] can cause users to become unaware of where ‘they themselves finish and the real world begins.”

Photos of nights out now are not taken to serve as memories but to serve as displays. Bring out a camera while out anywhere these days and at least one person will cup their chin in their hands, pout their lips, or flick their fringe artfully. Why? Because those photos will end up on Facebook, Flickr or a blog, not just in a dusty photo album: social media has undeniably changed our behaviour. Every image of us is seen and dissected. For some young women, already victims of narrow fashion industry parameters and the media’s obsession with cellulite, this is a nightmare: most either hide all photos or ruthlessly edit the ones they do display in an attempt to feel at least comfortable on their own profile page. For teenagers, it must be a nightmare: a number of schools are banning social media sites from their internal networks due to a huge rise in reports of internet bullying.

The prevailing zeitgeist amongst those in their teens has always been to create an image for themselves – and either use it to become immensely popular or have it turned against them by sneering peers. This tribalism, however, is creeping into those in their twenties and even thirties. Being used to editing our own images so much has led to a culture which reflects the need for catch-all, one stop icons, patterns and songs which say a lot with very little. At a 2010 speech to the Society for Young Publishers, creator of the ‘Art Meets Matter’ Penguin mugs, Tony Davis was asked by a member of the audience if he thought his products were a replacement for ‘actually reading books’: if the people buying the objects were using them to display intelligence without actually having to work for it. Davis seemed a little bewildered that anyone should think such a thing, and denied it outright. Most members of the audience, however, were not nodding in agreement: a group of young twenty-somethings, most recognised the reason for ‘props’: products which immediately tell peers and people on the tube who you are and what sort of thing you enjoy.

Elsewhere, Cath Kidston’s overpriced florals are the go-to for any yummy mummy wanting to portray a sense of 1950s domestic bliss, whilst black Wayfarers are an essential part of any hipster uniform. It’s arguable that a culture which bases itself so much on instantly recognisable, oppository symbols is one which is beginning to lack subtlety and certainly originality: even directors once considered edgy – Tim Burton, for example – are producing remakes of old films, whilst apparently alternative musicians sound much like most before them: Frank Turner may as well be a Billy Bragg tape, whilst Lady Gaga’s wackiness is pure Bowie and Grace Jones.

But all of this scare-mongering and cynicism forgets one thing: the adaptability of the human brain. It has been coping with technological changes since the stone age: the invention of the printing press did not precipitate a species-wide breakdown in brain function but a species-wide adaptation. Those intelligent enough to edit photos on Facebook or clip comments to 140 characters on Twitter are hardly likely to be changed so drastically by doing so that they, as Greenfield suggests, begin to live permanently in an imagined cyberworld, perhaps clicking on their partners instead of kissing, and pressing invisible Ctrl Alt Del buttons before getting into bed. Like the results of most technology, social media is essentially a reflection of what is already in our head: although it is giving us new options, it is not forcing us to follow them. The options it does give us are now enabling to do previously difficult or impossible things: thousands of ordinary Joes broke a super-injunction against Ryan Giggs on Twitter; Facebook famously enabled ease of communication in the Egyptian uprisings and long lost relatives have even been reunited thanks to a quick Google search and an IM. In truth, social media will only produce what we ourselves put into it. Although it’s life: edited, it’s still just that: life.

Business of Fashion founder, Imran Amed

The Business of Fashion (BoF) started out as a ‘little experiment’ in 2007, when Canadian Imran Amed began writing a blog from the sofa of his London flat. His aim was to fill the journalistic gap that existed between the commercial and editorial sides of fashion – where the Financial Timesended and Style.com began, if you will. With an MBA from Harvard Business School under his belt, years of management consultancy experience and a yen for the creative buzz of the fashion world, Amed was perfectly positioned to fill that void.

Now a far cry from a sofa-based personal project, BoF has evolved enormously since its inception. Within two years of its launch the site had enjoyed a slick makeover and boasted interviews with design stars like Giles Deacon. By 2010, more than 100,000 unique users were visiting each month, drawn in by frequent exclusive scoops, and the site was generating revenue via sponsorship. Today, while Amed still conducts major interviews (such as the ‘CEO Talk’ series – Q&As with the fashion brand bigwigs) most of the news is written by BoF staffers. That Amed managed to recruit Colin McDowell, the fashion journalist most often termed legendary, as one of three contributing editors, is testament to his pulling power. Likewise, the list of former interviewees is impressive from either a business or fashion perspective: photographer Nick Knight; Dazed and Confused Editor Jefferson Hack; Marc Jacobs’ CEO Robert Duffy; and the incomparable Karl Lagerfeld.

The evolution of BoF is really the story of Amed’s career too. A polymath for the digital age, 35-year-old Amed has variously been described as an internet journalist, industry expert, commentator, entrepreneur and consultant. He still acts as a strategist for luxury brands and as a talent scout for private equity firms looking to invest in emerging designers – he’s well placed to find the latter in his role as a business lecturer at Central St Martins, London’s most revered fashion school. Add to that a place on the British Fashion Council’s Digital Committee, the launch of social networking site Luxury Society, plus speaking engagements, guest blogs (most recently for the Huffington Post, and being your go-to guy for press quotes everywhere from the New York Times to the Daily Mail and you’ve got a serious multitasker.

With such a wide digital reach, Amed’s influence has been duly noted in the fashion industry. He was listed at number 29 in the Independent’s Online Fashion 100 in 2009 and Net-a-Porter put him at seven in its 2011 Blog Power List. Breaking ground outside of just the insular fashion crowd, Amed came in at 92 in GQ’s 100 Most Influential Men in Britain earlier this year.

So why exactly is BoF so indispensible? In part, it’s because of that USP that Amed recognized when he started. With ecommerce on a seemingly unstoppable upward trajectory, it stands to reason that editorial content, technology and, ultimately, sales are increasingly reliant on one another. No other online outlet occupies the intersection where fashion and commerce meet and, as Amed puts it, translates the languages of fashion and business. To wit, he does a nice line in quotable similes. When asked his opinion on new designers, Amed told Another magazine: ‘In New York, the designers are being led like an orchestra, they make beautiful music but it’s very controlled and planned. In London, it’s more like a jazz band.’

The site’s success could also be credited to the fact that its indispensible content is delivered so deftly. Take the Daily Digest for example, an email round-up of the most important fashion biz news, hyperlinked and quoted in chunks. It’s like having a PA to trawl Google news for you everyday, which is especially valuable when you want to get a handle on a subject that could have been reported anywhere from Reuters to New York Magazine’s Cut blog. Beyond that, the site offers expert analysis and op-ed. ‘Rather than think of ourselves as a news site, our approach is to take some time to reflect on what the news means, drawing inspiration from our conversations and observations at the front line of the fashion business,’ Amed has said.

To that end, one of BoF’s most recent projects saw Amed really putting his money where his mouth. Asked by British luxury leather goods designer Bill Amberg to collaborate on a bag, together they came up with the Calgary bag, a tote designed to fit all of technophile Amed’s gadgets, named after his hometown. But they went one step further and called on BoF readers to feed back on their preferences in terms of three prototype bags. The results of the crowdsourcing were used to dictate the colourways and quantities produced of the £295 bag, and every version has now completely sold out online.

Like the birth of BoF, the Calgary started off as a ‘little experiment’. Taking such entrepreneurial risks have helped the site grow to the influential, prominent position it now holds. Back in 2007, the ‘BoF Basics’ articles were intended to help neophyte designers navigate the nitty-gritty of fashion finance. They still offer sound advice today, but the newbies would do as well to pay attention to Amed and his own career – he’s clearly leading by example.

The making of the CALGARY by Bill Amberg for BoF | Source: Crane.tv

A reason to watch the Menswear shows...

We’re often transfixed by the couture and RTW shows at international fashion weeks, but it’s not often that we check out the menswear collections. However, when it comes to the Dolce & Gabbana show, one can most certainly make an exception. Deliciously dressed, superbly styled, jaw-droppingly handsome male models? Yes, please.

And now our favourite Italian design duo have created something else that has us a little intrigued: the Dolce & Gabbana Rules for the Modern Gentleman App. Compiled by current British GQ Editor Dylan Jones, this clever app has been dreamed up by the innovative pair to educate chaps that consider themselves (or aspire to be) what might be termed ‘modern gentlemen’.

From how to tie a sharp, elegant Windsor knot and tips on choosing a suitable suit for a hot date to advice on etiquette (including the indispensable “avoid the anchovy salad”) and how to entertain in style, the app is an inexhaustable resource of handy pointers that will take just about anyone from basic Homo Sapiens to a modern day James Bond-esque dandy. There’s also ample information on general grooming and skincare. If you have ever tried to explain what exfoliation is and why it’s important, you’ll wonder just why this app didn’t exist before! The Rules for the Modern Gentleman app’s approachable style ensures that even the most seemingly complex grooming and fashion concepts are explained with wit and style.

The app was inspired by the brand’s latest fragrance for men, The One Gentleman; described as “the embodiment of  modern elegance.” Domenico and Stefano say of the scent ““This fragrance really reflects our gentleman in many things: he is worldly, successful, impeccable but he also boasts something else such as an innate elegance that distinguishes him from the rest. Men would love to be him, women to be his.” He certainly sounds like a chap that we’d like to meet. The scent is available to buy online here (UK) and here (US).

Have you tried the app? Have you downloaded it for your own Homo Sapiens as a gentle hint? Any tips for would-be modern gents? (Other than why exfoliation is necessary, of course…)

GQ's Dylan Jones presents his essential rules for the moden gentleman - the app was inspired by The One Gentleman fragrance...

Strike a pose and download a yoga app

Working out, training, exercising – call it what you will, it’s always on our do-to lists, but invariably life takes over and all those good intentions (New Year resolutions, anyone?) fall quietly and conveniently by the wayside, only to be revisited when a holiday looms on the horizon.

The key to regular exercise is to build it into your daily routine, and just as importantly, to track it. With smart phones taking over our lives, why not harness the power of the little machine in your pocket to bring a little activity into your life?  We take a look at the five best fitness apps that could give you the nudge you need.

101 Yoga Poses

While the Authentic Yoga with Deepak Chopra app brings you a well-known name in the world of yoga, why not try 101 Yoga Poses which is actually free to download? With poses sorted into Standing, Seated, Floor and Table categories, and pre-set routines for beginners, stress relief, strength and more, this is a little-known gem that’s worth taking a look at. The music accompanying the poses is well chosen too.

Runkeeper

Runkeeper (free) is a clever little app that uses the iPhone’s inbuilt GPS to monitor your fitness, wherever it may take you. Use it to track and monitor running, walking, cycling and more. There’s also a manual overide, so you can even track your run on the treadmill if the bad weather keeps you indoors! With Runkeepers you can save detailed information on where you travelled, how far, how long, average pace, and even how many calories you burned. And if you’re really proud of how you’re doing, you can share your exploits with friends by posting on Facebook and Twitter.

My Fitness Pal

Any fitness professional will tell you that keeping track of your food intake and exercise is vital, especially if you are trying to lose weight. Indeed, in America, ‘journaling’ as it’s known, is almost an industry in itself. My Fitness Pal (free) is an all encompassing app that allows you to track what you consume so that you know exactly how many calories you’ve taken in (the food database is HUGE and customisable too) and allows you to log any exercise and activity you’ve undertaken throughout the day. Balancing the two as the day progresses lets you see exactly what level of calorie deficit you’ve managed, bearing in mind that it takes a weekly deficit of 3,500 calories to lose a pound of fat. This app really makes you think about all those little snacks we eat without thinking about it – they really do add up.

Navy Seal Fitness

If the idea of pushing yourself to beyond the limit appeals to you, then look no further than this app.  With over 800 pages of fitness, Navy Seal Fitness (£1.19/€1.35) is a workout app for the super-fit looking for greater challenges. There’s strength training, flexibility training, calisthenics, plyometrics, weight-lifting techniques and so much more.  While this is not for the fainthearted, don’t be put off by the photos of tough looking big guys in khakis with camouflage painted all over their faces – if they can do it, so can the girls!

Nike Training Club

Personal training is key to getting fit – for motivation and regularity, you can’t beat it. At between £50-£60 per hour session, it’s not within everyone’s reach, so Nike Training Club (free) has been designed to give you your own personal trainer at the tap of a button. Over 60 custom-built workouts with audio guidance and on-demand instruction take you through your daily workout. With the Nike name behind it, you know you’ve got expert help on hand and the interface of Nike with Apple means that you can even choose your own music when setting your fitness goals.

Get lean, toned, strong and focused with Nike’s Training Club app…

An illustration by blogger Garance Doré

It feels like they’ve been around forever, but fashion blogs are a relatively recent development. While some are a bit hit and miss, others have made stars of their creators; among them the likes of Susie Lau, Tavi, Garance Doré and Scott Schuman. Their blend of up-to-the-minute fashion, quirky styling tips and inspiration straight from the street has made them the new fashion magazine, with monthly print style bibles struggling to keep up.

Garance Doré

The girl sure can doodle. Illustrator, street style photographer, blogger and fashion commentator, Garance Doré is France’s fashion sweetheart. Passionate about fashion from childhood, Garance’s combines an encyclopaedic knowledge of tailoring with Gallic style tips, and her comments on seasonal trends are worth listening to. With site language options in French and English, Garance is in high demand; styling shoots for Japanese Vogue, creating illustrations for fashion houses, and of course, maintaining her blog. Her style is classic, elegant and feminine, both in terms of what she wears and her fabulous photographs.

The Sartorialist

Scott Schuman knows that Europe is where the fashion is. That’s why the street style photographer, better known as The Sartorialist spends such a lot of time on this side of the pond. The US native has an eye for fashion – not necessarily the latest trends, but for people who wear it well. One of the most compelling images from The Sartorialist’s archives, captures two young men in Milan, their hands frozen mid-air and mid-conversation. Crisp, blindingly-white suits, trouser legs rolled up, are combined with brogues sans socks. Their hair is lightly slicked back and the compulsory wayfarers are very much in evidence. A timeless look but achingly now – that’s The Sartorialist for you.

OutsaPop Trashion

She’s been featured on Running in Heels before, and there’s a reason. OutsaPop Trashion is DIY fashion at its best. Finnish fashion blogger Outi is the stylist behind the blog, which covers everything from tutorials on making your own corset to items from offbeat types such as Bitching and Junkfood, and Gareth Pugh. With a strong visual sense, visit OutsaPop for her very unique sense of style, and give her props for being fashionable while helping the environment at the same time.

The Blonde Salad

Blonde, Italian, and very easy on the eye. Chiara of The Blonde Salad is not only stunning but also has high octane Italian chic in spades. And it’s not just the blogging world that has taken note – with her very own line of sky-high heels, the fashion world also loves her inimitable style. Up to date with trends and a fan of the big guns, The Blonde Salad dresses up, dresses down, but always looks glamorous. As Bloglovin’s 2011 ‘Newcomer of the Year’ recipient, she is definitely one to watch.

Grungy Geman blogger Jana, of Bekleidet

Bekleidet

Bekleidet (German for clothed) is something German fashion blogger, Jana, of Bekleidet.net knows a lot about. She’s a little bit boho, a little bit grungy, and she could be the love-child of Peaches and Heidi Klum – either way, she’s always fabulously dressed. Jana’s blog is one of Germany’s favourites, thanks to her accessible style, which features plenty of Top Shop and H&M. What makes it interesting is her flair – a turn of the cuff here, a waisted belt or daisies in her hair there. For every-day fashion inspiration – regardless of season – Bekleidet is a must.

Fashion Squad

Carolina Engman describes her style as “simple, chic and rock ‘n’ roll” and documents it on Fashion Squad. Fashion Squad has a world-wide following, which is partly attributable to the fact she (along with Susie Lau) was among the first wave of bloggers to hit the net, setting up shop in April 2006. With longevity comes press; something Carolina gets a lot of. With spreads in ELLE, Vogue and numerous Japanese magazines, Carolina’s style is definitely something to take note of. Commentating on the season’s latest offerings and interpreting trends her own way; look out for an impressive collection of sunglasses and impossibly high heels.

Style Bubble

London fashion blogger, Susie Bubble (real name Susie Lau), is a self-confessed outcast, who only stumbled into fashion as an act of rebellion. As one of the web’s first fashion bloggers, Susie Bubble was also one of the first to garner media attention. Susie’s high profile allows her readers insights into the world of fashion – front row at fashion shows, season previews and interviews with designers. Susie’s style is eclectic – a big part of what makes her blog such an addictive read: Lau was among the first to try double denim, mismatched prints, three-quarter-length baggy pants and Aztec-style woven hand bags on for size. It’s not necessarily for everyone, but in her style bubble, it works.

Stylish Londoner Susanna Lau, the self-confessed outcast, and blogger behind the exceptionally popular Style Bubble

Political fashion blogger Laura-Emily

Have you ever noticed the vibrant outfits circulating on Capitol Hill, or wondered about the fashionable ladies behind the dully-clad men of Westminster? Laura-Emily Dunn, the passionate writer behind Political Style, is an expert on the subject, with personal experience in the American capital and several exclusive interviews under her belt. In the last couple of years, she has interviewed figures no less than Sarah Brown and Sally Bercow, and now she joins us for a friendly chat as she shares her thoughts on her blog and reveals her particular ability to run in heels.

When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in 2007 after wanting a way to express my love of fashion and politics where I could reach other individuals who shared the same interests as me.

What’s your blog about?

My blog is entitled ‘Political Style,’ and discusses politics, fashion, the arts and culture all in one place! I also share my photography here and travel experiences.

Who inspires you?

Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Jill Biden, Jackie Kennedy, Joanna Lumley, Hillary Clinton.

What’s your day job?

I’m currently studying a Masters in Political Communication whilst interning for my local representative.

What do your family and friends think about your blog?

Many of them love the coverage and the idea! I’ve also been fortunate to make many new friends through blogging.

Do you read any other blogs?

I read many blogs, all varied in their topics and coverage. A current favourite is Dead Fleurette for French fashion and lifestyle, Mrs-O for coverage of Michelle Obama and Cap Hill Style for life on Capitol Hill (something which I miss dearly!)

How do you use Twitter and has it changed how you blog?

I’ve used Twitter for about two years, and totally love it. It has given me access and friendships with some notable Twitter users such as Sally Bercow and Sarah Brown, and I have been fortunate to interview both of these inspiring individuals for my blog and other publications that I contribute to. Whilst I don’t have a dedicated Twitter account for my blog, my personal profile is linked up and it has been positive to reach out to other bloggers. I tweet at @lauraemilyd.

What couldn’t you live without?

Family and friends; the Internet; books and travel.

How do you stay motivated?

By a very long to-do list! I love the feeling when you accomplish something.

Inspirational first lady Michelle Obama

Typical blog wardrobe?

I don’t wear any specific item or favourite outfit when I blog- whatever I feel comfortable in! I’m usually blogging before/during/after doing university work so it’s frequently something comfy and warm.

Blog soundtrack?

Tough one! But I would say a mix of jazz, pop classics and classical pieces. This is pretty much what I listen to when blogging! I also listen to Internet radio to discover new artists and songs.

Favourite European city and why?

London as it’s fast-paced, beautiful and full of excitement. Plus, it is only two hours away from where I live!

What do you think is the biggest problem in British society today and what is the most positive thing?

Biggest problem is the level of unemployment and the cuts being made by the coalition government that will have no positive effect on Britain’s recovery. The most positive thing is the mood and determination of the British public, one thing that I think will always be powerful.

Do you ever get blog block?

Very occasionally, but I am constantly reading the news, visiting fashion sites, tumblr and other blogs to keep up to date and to find posting inspiration.

Dream purchase?

A Chanel 2.55 black quilted Caviar bag.

Desert island blog?

Mrs O, Dead Fleurette and The Huffington Post.

Is blogging a viable career?

I think it can be with the right structure, method and subject matter. I would also recommend guest blogging on other sites to raise your profile and experience.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to be working full time for a politician, particularly through the management of press and policy.

Can you run in heels?

Of course! It’s a particular skill of mine!

Some of the features available on Dunn's Political Style - a fascinating, eclectic read for fashionistas and politicos alike