I was always a creative child and a gifted artist, and have always loved drawing clothes and costumes. As a confirmed mommy's boy, I learned sewing from my home seamstress mother. From a very young age, I loved to design, create, and explore the world of fashion and costume. I have a bachelor's degree in fine arts, with majors in costume design and art history. What I have found the most rewarding is acquiring knowledge about fashion and sharing that knowledge. I love studying fashion history and am an avid reader of anything related to fashion. After working as a theatrical costume designer, clothing designer, teacher, and artist, I have recently dedicated myself to writing this blog.
How did your online fashion blog - Dress the Part - come to be? What inspired its launch, and what is your blog's focus? Has it changed in any way over time?
The launch of Dress The Part was a labor of love. Firstly, I wanted to share my love of fashion and costume. I launched the blog in 2015 and, if you read my early posts, there is an emphasis on costume in film, television and celebrity fashion. I have a massive love of old Hollywood. Over time, my coverage has moved to include more fashion, fashion designers and culture. I share advice on fashion styling and shopping choices. My emphasis on the Vancouver fashion and art community has been the most significant change. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but getting involved with fashion events has opened my world to meeting and interviewing designers and all the creatives who make the fashion world so exciting. I have also taken on the role of mentoring young designers in their education and professional pursuits.
What is your process when you are invited to cover a new event? Do you do any prep work or research before the event?
Firstly, I want to know as much about the event as possible. Is there a theme? Is it a benefit for charity? Who are the organizers? Secondly, If it's a fashion show, I want to know what designers are showing and, if possible, their contact information. The same criteria would apply if I covered an art show or other cultural event. Thirdly, I like to hit the internet and social media to find out as much as possible about the designers, artists and organizers.
I think most of the public is unaware of how much work is involved in creating a great event write-up. Can you describe all the different aspects you need to address by the time your article is published?
Part of this was covered in the previous answer. Knowledge is always vital to writing a great article. If possible, I want first-hand information by contacting the designer or artist. Hopefully, they can provide me with all their credentials, including websites and social media accounts. Quotes are always a writer's best friend, and I love to get some good quotes to fill out the article. I also need visuals, which might include background photos from the designer's portfolio and pictures and videos of the event.
How can those you mention in your coverage and their supporters help your writeup and/or review to gain as wide a readership as possible?
Write it, and they will come! Well, it's not that easy. Reviews and articles are a huge part of the fashion industry; the public wants to know what the experts think. Ways to get eyes on the article include sharing links on your website, sharing on all social media, and doing interviews like this one. Photos are worth a lot, but they must be tagged to the writer's work. If you read something you like, share it! Old-fashioned word of mouth also works as well.
How long have you been covering Vancouver Fashion Week? What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming SS25 season?
I have been covering Vancouver Fashion Week since 2019 and haven't missed a show since then, including covering the remote shows during the pandemic. Since then, I have worked with La Salle College as a guest critic and mentor, so I look forward to seeing what the students present this season. I also look forward to the 10th-anniversary show of Vancouver designer Alex Yu and the return to VFW of AY Lelum the Vancouver Island Indigenous brand that has won the hearts of VFW followers.
Is there anything else you'd like to share in closing about you, your blog, or something else you are working on?
I have recently rebranded my blog's look, which is just in time for this season of VFW. I encourage all of you to follow my blog and social media as I cover the fashion scene in Vancouver. I also would like to reach out to any designers who are holding fashion shows to receive coverage. More than anything, I want to encourage young designers and artists to reach out . And share their work.
Links -
- Dress the Part Website - www.jandrewspeaks.com
- Instagram - @jandrewspeaks
- Facebook - www.facebook.com/jandrewspeaks
Comments
Post a Comment