July 26, 2010 Fashion

Blogging has democratized fashion. Now everyone from retailers to editors are taking their cues from the blogosphere. Coco & Crème spotlights the new pioneers of style.


Karen, 29, wheredidugetthat.com
The London blogger (now based in NYC) channels casual downtown cool with an edgy twist. We’re talking fringe, lace, studs and leopard print and a seamless ability to mix high and low pieces. In addition to her original fashion sense, many look up to her because of the respect she’s earned from the industry in such a short period of time. “I’d give the same advice to anyone regardless of their color, “ explains the sales-administrator-by-day. “Be themselves and post about what they are passionate about. Don’t be nervous about whatever your style or voice is. Stand behind it. If you love it others will too.”


Alicia, 26, innyvinny.com
Two years ago, the aspiring jewelry designer created Instant Vintage—what she says was initially “a diversion from the drudgery of having a 9 to 5.” There’s certainly nothing dull about her eclectic style. Her blog is laden with funky yet unfussy vintage ensembles and cool accessories from her jewelry line. The thrift shop guru and Los Angeles resident advises future bloggers to stay true to themselves and to not fall into the trap of excessive spending: “Do not go broke or rack up debt trying to finance a style blog. Seriously. Spending money on every new shoe, shirt, and bit of jewelry that is hot right now to ‘keep up’ is not worth it. “

Gabi, 23, youngfatandfabulous.com
Gabi began blogging two years ago because she wanted to show her fellow plus-size girls that you can be stylish at any size. “Way too many people think they have to lose weight before they can look good,” says the Chicago-based blogger. She impeccably pairs her chic blazer collection (in every color and silhouette imaginable!) with sky-high pumps and stand-out accessories. When she’s not documenting her daily ensemble, she’s featuring other fab plus-size bloggers or candid vlogs, showing that style and inspiration come in all sizes.

Ev’Yan, 22, apricot-tea.com
The 22-year-old started her blog back in 2008 as a way to kill time in between jobs. “My favorite thing about blogging by far is the connections and friendships I’ve made with people all over the world,” says the California native. We love her effortless style and sincere posts. You’ll leave Apricot Tea feeling like you’ve known the fashion blogger all your life. It’s no surprise that her advice to aspiring Black fashion bloggers is the Oscar Wilde quote, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” She’s currently on the prowl for the perfect black maxi dress and a vintage bowler hat—so comfortable, so chic, so her.

Lydia, 20, styleisstyle.blogspot.com
Frills, ruffles and lace, oh my! She may not have the glamorous of day jobs (she’s a barista and cashier), but the Candanian’s sense of feminine and flirty style is undeniable. “I was inspired by all the really amazing blogs I was finding on the Internet. I thought, if they can take outfit photos, why can’t I?” And so began Style Is Style in 2008. “Keep at it. If you have great content and a unique voice, eventually people will notice you,” she advises aspiring bloggers of color. Her mix of girly cool and avid love of all things thrifted have surely got our attention.

Samantha, 24, omowrites.blogspot.com
The NYC-native started blogging in back in 2007 as a timestamp for her ahead-of-the-curve trendspotting. She describes her style as a cross between Dennis Huxtable and Blossom. Think harem pants and funky prints. You’ll find her roaming the streets of SoHo, Chelsea, or Brooklyn, scavenging the racks at Beacon’s Closet, Brooklyn Flea or Urban Outfitters. “I’m still on the search for a simple silk button up blouse in cream,” says the jewelry designer. “If you find one let me know!”

Lori, 28, hisherschicago.blogspot.com
In 2010, the LA-by-way-of-Chicago grad student, began blogging to share her love for fashion and record their growth in personal photography. “Our blog has been our own canvas to create images, apply our creative ideas and challenge ourselves to improve,” says the fashionista of the team she’s created with her boyfriend/photographer. The blog is full of brilliant color and eye-catching photography. “I love shoes in bold colors and treasure any pair that add a little character to my outfit.”

Celia, 25, afractionoffashion.com
Just one year ago, the New York fashion designer created her blog. “It was an opportunity to express myself without any restrictions and to create something that belonged to me that wasn’t attached to any company- my thoughts, my words,” she explains. The blog shows that there’s more to fashion than just clothes and covers its other influences like art and music. You’ll find inspiring snapshots of everything from eyewear to underwear, DJs to industry folk, magazine spreads to self-portraits. “My advice to aspiring bloggers isn’t and shouldn’t be limited by color since that just limits our thinking,” says the blogger. “Just be yourself and blog about what you love.”

Nikole, 28, moptopmaven.blogspot.com
The Cali-based jewelry designer started her blog in January as a New Year’s resolution and managed to combine her numerous passions like photography, fashion and cooking. Be sure to check out her killer collection of vintage hats. “They’re the perfect go-to accessory for that instant wow-factor, and also helps out during those bad hair days,” says the blogger, though we wonder if she ever has those with that beautiful mane.

32 Comments

  1. Chimire says:

    Straight awesomeness. I follow a few of these ladies but its never to late to learn about others, Will definitely check them out. Thanks for the exposure! :)

  2. Love this post. Checking out all of these blogs & following on Twitter.

    Thanks millions. I need more like this!!!!

  3. Harlem Loves says:

    Brilliant, post I’m following each and every one of them on bloglovin

  4. Love love love this article,I’m a NEW fashion Designer that has a blog az well,I am Now more inspired than ever to be active and consistent on mine,and my fashion journey……Thank you for sharing!…..

    **These FLYCHICA’s RoCk!!!!!
    I live 4 Positive energy,and growth….*fist pump* :) )

  5. These ladies are major! I follow quite a few of them (thanks for the new introductions) Great roundup!

  6. ChicTherapy says:

    thanks for sharing…they are all wonderful bloggers!love your page by the way!!really cool

  7. I was following a few of these bloggers but thanks for adding more to my daily blogroll! and btw I’m soooo glad my job doesnt block C + C since they blocked Clutch!

  8. Alicia says:

    Updating my blogrolllllllll. =D

    Thanks Coco & Creme!

  9. Great post, i follow all of these bloggers just about. i love the diversity that is poppin up within the blogosphere these days. all these ladies are all fashionable and beautiful! black beauty & black fashion… we are takin ova!!! LOL

    xoxo Meisha

  10. Great post, i follow all of these bloggers just about. i love the diversity that is poppin up within the blogosphere these days. all these ladies are all fashionable and beautiful! black beauty & black fashion… we are takin ova!!! LOL

    xoxo Meisha

  11. Love this, adding to my blogroll. I love love love gabi, follow her on twitter, really great girl. Chicago too!

    I’d love to see a feature on us youtubers and vloggers too.

  12. Cool! I will add them to my blogroll! :-D

  13. Love learning about new bloggers. Excellent post!

  14. MBLS says:

    Great post, can’t wait to visit all these blogs!

  15. SLY says:

    That’s crazy. Loving this post. Especially since I follow three of the ladies above. Will have to check out the rest.

  16. I follow a few of these ladies already and will definitely be checking out the others. Thanks for this post.

    Kendra

  17. YAAAAY Alicia!!! =) I am familiar with 4 of these blogs. I love them

  18. Bianca says:

    Thanks for posting this! Saving these ladies’ blogs to my favorites as we speak! :D

  19. Danielle says:

    Yay! for Alicia!! She’s so awesome and funny. The other ladies are fab, too *adds to blogroll*

  20. lori, you are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BEAUTIFUL LIL LILLIAN YOU GOT IT COUSIN, DON’T STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. Martine Syms says:

    These are great. Another fave of mine is the Pop Africana blog written by editor Oroma Elewa: http://www.thepopafricanablog.com/.

  22. Alexandra says:

    Thanks for sharing this list. I follow MopTop Maven; I’ve only been following her for a week now and her blog is great!!
    Thanks for sharing the other women and their blogs. I’m gonna visit their blogs right now lol!

  23. This list is great! I especially love Moptop Maven—she makes me want to move out west! My question is: how do all of these women get these great photos taken of themselves daily? Are they having a friend do it or are they putting the camera on a tripod and doing self portraits? I love style blogs but when I read them I’m always like “How do they get someone to snap all of these shots of them everyday?”

  24. Toni says:

    bookmarking. I love seeing diversity in fashion. I will be checking out these other ladies. YOU GO GURLS!!!!!

  25. Dominique says:

    Love the recognition of all these ladies! I am a blogger as well and writing is such freedom and personal release of creative energy, it just makes it all worth it being appreciated and recognized like this. Great job Coco and Creme!

  26. I’ve been following a few of these ladies for a while now, but the ones I didn’t I’m a new follower now after viewing their blogs. They are all unique and insightful :) Sweet choices!

  27. indiegoespop says:

    funny, I follow all those blogs already. Great selection.

  28. Burke says:

    I am so happy to see these ladies featured!

    It is about time. :)

    My daily mantra… BLACK GIRLS HAVE STYLE…

  29. angela says:

    thank YOU!!!!! i love them all i love blogs, fashion, and also being inspired by young black females like myself!!!! and i love this site it is on my top sites page on my mac! lol keep up the wonderful work !!!

  30. Pingback: Link Love Fridays: #7 | apricot tea.

  31. NappyMuseTV says:

    Glad to have caught this blog on twitter. They are all very interesting. Following them all.