CQ Interview: Kristopher Dukes
Fashion writer, soy latte addict and blogger extraordinaire, Kristopher Dukes is one determined lady. From an early age she didn’t just set her mind on what she wanted, she went for it... with both hands. Today, she holds a significant presence online combining her two passions - fashion and the Internet. Along with a crazed obsession with soy lattes, five inch heels, mink and her catchphrase “ooh la love”, Kristopher blogs for Top Button and shopcast network, ThisNext. She is also a long-time friend of Shiny and therefore we couldn’t resist an opportunity to pick her brain. Ooh la love…
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You started writing at the early age of eight, where did this creativity come from? My parents always encouraged me to be career-oriented, which could explain my writing for Los Angeles bi-weeklies and national mags when I was still in high school. I've always been passionate about writing, period, though I'm not sure why playing with words gives me such pleasure. Except when I'm jotting down notes on Giuseppe Zanotti heels. Then it's pretty obvious.
When did you first start blogging?
I started seriously blogging/steady dating my dot-com (www.kristopherdukes.com) in February 2006, out of my desire to self-publish. At more or less the same time, I also started blogging for fashion democracy Top Button and shopcast network ThisNext. So it's been about a year since we've been having virtual soy latte and shopping dates, ladies.
You were recently named by WWD as one of the Top 10 Fashion Bloggers, how do you think the fashion industry perceives blogging?
I think of print media as T-Rex, and web media as little mammals. We'll survive, but meanwhile, T-Rex is bigger and stronger. As blogging evolves, I believe it will continue to be held more tightly to the same level of professional and editorial standards - no libel, no photo "borrowing" - as print media.
Tell us a bit about your work on Top Button and ThisNext.
I started writing with Top Button more than a year ago, when they began featuring editorial on their home page. Our relationship evolved and now I blog for them and write their national email column "Street Walk" which is about street fashion. I also blog for the social shopping site ThisNext and get to chat about what all you beautiful beauty and fashion bloggers dig on their trendspotting blog.
Could you explain a little more about social bookmarking/shopcasting?
Shopcasting = shopping + broadcasting. In other words, you’re broadcasting your shopping tastes to other people. Through ThisNext, you basically make lists of your favourite products and share them with the community. You can check out my list of highest heels and littlest black dresses here.
What's your style?
Five-inch heels, flapper frocks, smoky eyes and typically a glammy dead animal, in the form of vintage mink, a snakey clutch or ostrich purse.
Whose style do you most and least admire?
Kate Moss is genius when it comes to trends. On the other side of London "girls about town", I can't figure out why Sienna Miller is a tabloid cover girl.
What has been your most extravagant purchase?
Probably a $7 soy latte. Believe it or not, I'm fab at finding deals. I actually bought a vintage '70s Miss Dior gown in emerald green chiffon, gold lame embroidery, flawless condition - for a $1. Did I make you go "Ooh la love"?
Who are your favourite designers and photographers?
Before J-Lo and Martha, there was boss lady Coco Chanel and her self-built empire. I admire her greatly; she changed the way women dolled up. As for fashion photographers, I'm not sure if David LaChapelle counts, but I adore his work.
What are your favourite online stores and websites?
A little blog called KristopherDukes.com (wink). I actually love Style.com, for solid fashion information dolled up as eye candy. I adore (and I'm not just saying this) the Shiny Media fashion blogs. You ladies are the Oprahs of fashion blogs!
What's your favourite outfit?
My uniform, day to night, hustle or play is a flapper frock, too-tall heels, piles of black eyeshadow, and either a snakey clutch or a vintage fur muff.
Clothes:
- I've got a budding collection of beaded dresses, including a navy beads on navy chiffon
- I love very high heels that make you watch your walk, pose your poise and stand straighter.
- Two of my favourite pets are a vintage golden snakey clutch and a cherry snake clutch.
Make Up:
- I like my skin porcelain and this powder foundation plays double duty with SPF 25.
- I've been working the smokey eye look since high school.
- I wear three coats of this mascara daily.
- This lipstick lasts all day and all night.
In true CQ tradition, this is the part where we ask you to vote Yay or Nay to the following trends / people / items...
Fur - Yay, to the third power. Fur is so primal and luxe and if a fox could make a fur coat out of me, it would.
Victoria Beckham - Yay. She is ridiculously glammy and such a smart marketer.
Leggings - Nay. So unflattering for most women. I've been over them for more than five minutes, even before Nicole-Lindsey-Ritchie-Lohan-Barton started rocking them.
Bows - Yay. Why not? They're so mignon when done cheeky chic style.
Mini dresses and skirts - Yay. I live in flapper frocks, I adore simple, gorgeous shifts that you can dance, play and work in. And show off your legs in.
Airbrushing - Yay. I love to look at beautiful things. Don't blame a photo-flawless Gisele for anyone's self-esteem issues. Stand straight and make it your own business to love yourself.
Jessica Simpson - Yay. She hardly annoys me as I hardly pay any attention to her. Either way she's gorgeous and a hustler.
Ugly Betty - Yay? I haven't actually seen the show. I live under a rock, housed in a Giuseppe Zanotti shoe box, tucked into a closet full of beaded dresses and too-tall heels.
Plaid - Yay, depending on how it's rocked. Gwen Stefani usually dolls it up right.
Ballet flats - Yay. Totally Audrey Hepburn hip only I don't rock them. I don't do flats.
Kristopher Dukes' official weblog is www.kristopherdukes.com
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