3.13.2013

FAQ

Throughout the course of The Tiny Closet, I've been asked a lot about my style, my inspiration, my hair, where I come from...  
It's been incredibly flattering just to be asked my opinions and thoughts on matters, serious or silly.

But it occurred to me that I've never shared these questions and answers here.  So I compiled some of my favorite questions to share on my blog.  With you!

1.
Pelumi from Care For Your Hair asked:

Where do you draw style inspiration from?

Hands down, I draw inspiration from Solange Knowles, Ashley Olsen and Karla's Closet.  I'm obsessed with all three and no one does it better than those girls.  
For eye candy, I frequently visit Jak&Jil and Vogue.com

2.
Would you say your style has changed since you've been natural?

I thought it would have to since I'd always wore my hair stick straight with blunt bangs.  But it didn't have to change.  However, it inevitably did change though as soon as I became comfortable with my natural hair.  As soon as that happened, I stopped being afraid and self conscious about everything else about me.  
So my style became more bold and unique and unapologetic.

3.
One piece of advice you would give someone thinking of going natural:

It all depends on why you're going natural.  If it's to stop being dependent on chemicals than have fun, get to know your natural hair and don't take it too seriously.  At the end of the day, it's just hair.  You can always relax it, weave it, or cut it again :)  Regardless of the reason, I think a big tip would be PATIENCE.  Patience with yourself and your expectations.  Forget about expectations.  Have nothing but love and curiosity for your natural hair and try not to make it be anything more than what it is.

4.
Priscilla, Journalism Major at Temple University asked:

Do you consider yourself a member of the "natural hair movement? And if so, how do you personally define this movement? 

I think what is currently happening with African American hair particularly in the U.S. is rightly called a "movement".  Wearing one's hair in its natural state (curly) has really become a progressive thought and realization.  These ideas are being hatched and passed around by thousands of specifically black women more and more everyday through pictures, blogs and videos so at this point, regardless of reason or message, any black woman who doesn't straighten her hair is still part of the natural hair movement just by default simply because she's seen as an inspiration and a beacon to others who consider themselves very much apart of the message.  So yes, I'm apart of it regardless of whether or not I want to be.

5.
Reiko of God's Favorite Shoes asked:

Your wedding dress/photos were phenomenal... How would you describe your hubby’s style? Do/did you have a great influence on his overall look?

Thank you!!  I swooned at Theo's look too!  He said he wanted to wear skinny jeans at the wedding and I was like, whuuuttt? But I didn't debate it and he ended up looking amazing.    His style is very English and French with a pinch of hip hop.  Anything English though he adores.  He has a few tweed blazers, skinny slacks, lots of colorful socks, and scads of button ups.  
His stores are Opening Ceremony, Shades of Grey, AllSaints and John Varvatos.  

Truth is, his style is super fly and he dresses better than I do!  He used to dress me entirely and then I got the hang of it.  I am very much influenced by his innate style choices.  

6.
You see a lady looking fabulous. Do you go out of your way to tell her or just stare at her from afar? Would you ask her where she got something that she is wearing?

I see beautiful, fabulous girls all the time!  It warms my heart when a girl looks like she put effort into her ensemble so I usually give her a quick passing comment that her outfit/shoes/hair rocks.  I never ask where they got their clothes, it's not ladylike.  But I make sure they know that someone has noticed by telling them they look fab.  
Compliments from strangers feel great to receive!

7.
Tashira of Politics & Fashion asked:

Where are you from?  How has your background shaped your identity and style of dress?

I grew up in a wealthy little city in Washington (Bellevue).  I was surrounded by white people and knew one other black person, pretty much my whole life up until 20.  There was an extreme lack of diversity and I left as soon as I was financially able haha!  I moved to Boston, then New York and then back to Washington (Seattle) and my identity formed through that experience - through me and my observations.  Fashion wise, Bellevue is conservative and, for the most part, people there conform to the micro trends and don't deviate from that.  It's the suburbs ya know?  It was fine but not my speed at all and definitely didn't shape my style of dress.  I came out of the womb wanting to be comfortable with an adoration for heels.  That has never changed.  My background stopped influencing me years and years ago!  Growing up as the only black/Cuban/Puerto Rican/Spanish/French girl, I made my own rules and found my own style.  I couldn't look to anyone else so I taught myself.

8.
What's the story behind your blog?  How has it evolved?

The Tiny Closet was formed out of boredom and as a tool to find a way to deal with not having a lot of money anymore.  I wasn't working and therefor, my normal activities had come to a screeching hault and I just stayed at home all day.  I had gotten laid off from a well paying job and I'd grown VERY used to shopping all the time.  I bought clothes I would wear only once and then throw out, I just loved fashion and style and wanted it all in a very indulgent, abundant, non-creative way.  Being without a job and having time to think, I realized I needed to have more quality in my life. For example, to get a job I actually loved!  To have a life that meant something to me and no one else - and also, since I had such a strong passion for style and clothing, I wanted to wear clothes I loved and only loved.  So, with those resolutions, I started purging everything in my life that didn't make sense.  Including my closet.  And it became very Tiny!! LOL!  And since that depressed me at first, thinking I seemingly had "nothing to wear", I decided to get very creative with it since I wouldn't be shopping for something new everyday and I recorded my endeavors with this blog.  Tada :)

This answer is incredibly long but I really did want to take the time to explain because The Tiny Closet has become a lifestyle for me now.  Women think they need so much just to stay in trend and feel like they have enough and I learned that you really don't need that much at all.  Especially since fashion is an art form, I treat it as such.  It's not about abundance and mindless buying.  So even though I am not in the same boat I was, I still don't shop a lot and I make the best of what I have over and over again in new ways.

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so I'm back at the sewing machine again and cannot wait to wear some of the easy breezy dresses I've concocted.  With this sudden 85 degree weather, I can't finish them fast enough!  

See ya back here tomorrow :)


10 comments:

  1. This was a great read!!

    I've been thinking of cutting way back on the things in my closet, because I reach for the same things all the time, lol

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  2. Great interview. Nice to learn more about you

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  3. Great FAQ. This resonated with me. => "Women think they need so much just to stay in trend and feel like they have enough and I learned that you really don't need that much at all. Especially since fashion is an art form, I treat it as such. It's not about abundance and mindless buying. So even though I am not in the same boat I was, I still don't shop a lot and I make the best of what I have over and over again in new ways." Thank you for this statement.

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  4. Thank you Natalie, you are inspiring this old lady to get with my own closet and start to love what I wear and do. Thank you. P.S. you and Theo are the cutest!

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  5. I've only recently found your blog, so this post was timely. These are some of the questions I myself asked (to the ether) when finding your fabulous blog. I can't wait to read and see more from you.

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  6. Great answers to these questions. I really admire a woman that can allow themselves to be free and really be themselves and not conform to what world thinks beauty and fashion is. I am still learning to allow myself to be free and expressive whether it's with my hair/clothes or whatever. You are an inspiration!!!



    Carsedra of:

    http://www.embracingtherealme.com/

    http://sweets4yourtooth.blogspot.com/



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  7. This was such a great post, and so timely because my husband and I are doing our best to purge. He has MUCH more to purge than me, though. Leaving the world of work to a become a full-time student really changed my shopping habits. I really enjoy your blog and your style!

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  8. Thanks for sharing, enjoyed reading your answers.

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  9. thanks for including politics and fashion on your list! i think your answer was incredibly insightful and self-aware

    xo

    www.politicsandfashionblog.com

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