from the horse's mouth

An Interview with Rebecca of The Clothes Horse:



Rebecca was sweet enough to answer a few questions I had about her and her blogging endeavors. She is among one of the first bloggers I found this past summer including Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky and Tieka of Selective Potential. It is because of these lovely ladies that I became interested in pursuing my own blog. They proved to me that personal style can be more than what people generally say it is. Justifying my passion and curiosity for fashion is something with which I have struggled. It is easy for others to write it off as materialistic, self-absorbed and superficial.

To me Rebecca is a perfect counterexample to these stereotypes. I chose to interview her because I can sense her broader intuitiveness for art and for life. She is extremely introspective, something I can relate to, and very intelligent. You can feel the thought and emotion she puts into her outfits and written reflections. It is people like Rebecca who help me muster the courage and pride to continue doing what I love. Personal style is about expressing who you are and being proud of that unique identity. Being self-confident is something I have lacked at different times in my life. The power of clothes does not come from their innate qualities, but rather in their ability to empower you.




Without further ado, here's our interview!

1. How did you get started blogging?

I was reading a lot of other blogs and eventually reading them wasn’t enough for me, I had to have my own! I think the first blogs I started reading were poetry and food blogs, but I did eventually stumble across street fashion and really fell hard for personal style blogs.

2. As a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?

When I was little I wanted to be an artist. What type of artist changed fairly often and it wasn’t really a driving force; even as a kid I didn’t know with certainty what I wanted to be. I’m still in that place of uncertainty; I really don’t know what I’d like to be doing in 10 years. I just hope I continue to enjoy my job.



3. What did you study in college? Are you still currently pursuing that area of interest?

I studied Marketing and Business and while I’m using some of the skills I learned, I’m definitely not pursuing that area. I chose the major because I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I thought I could learn some useful skills through it.

4. Do you have a favorite post of yours? I know there are a few that tend to draw me.

I really don’t think I have a favorite post. There are some I really love for different reasons, but one favorite? I think a fairly recent one I really like is “Pale But Not A Ghost;” I really love how the pictures came out—it was a really wonderful, eerie day.



5. How would you say your sense of personal style has shifted since beginning blogging?

Since I began blogging I’ve graduated from college and I think my personal style reflects that; I’m not a college student so in some ways I’m more adventurous with heels, but I’m also experimenting less as I try to look somewhat close to my actual age. I think overall my style is getting more refined; I’m really beginning to figure out what I really like.

6. If you could only play around with only one element of style, what would it be? Color, pattern, proportion/shape, or texture/materiality?

Color! I’ve always been really intrigued by color, I think it comes from having a color blind Grandfather. From very little I had this awareness of color as something significant, something I noticed because I knew someone who didn’t see it the same way as me at all. In high school my AP Art portfolio focused on color and color theory. So, it’s still an important element in my wardrobe and something I pay attention to.



7. Could you describe the mental process you go through when putting together an outfit?

Every outfit is a little different; I usually start with one piece and build from there. It could be a dress or a headband, but I start with a narrow focus and just pull pieces that I think will go with it.

8. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Telepathy! It would probably be super rude and intrusive, but I’m such an introvert that I often wish I knew what other people were thinking. Human beings can be such a mystery!



9. What is your proudest blogging achievement?

Oh goodness, I don’t know! I mostly just focus on the content and I’m happy when I’m producing photographs I’m not ashamed to share. I’m also really honored by the opportunities I’ve had; being allowed backstage at a number of fashion shows during NYFW was definitely a wonderful experience.

10. What is your best piece of advice to other bloggers?

Blog about what you love. If you want your blog to last, then figure out what your passion is and something that you won’t get tired of doing. I also advocate generating as much original content as possible; it makes your blog unique, but it’s also a chance for you to express yourself creatively.

11. Where do you hope to be in 5 years? (physically, professionally, mentally, whatever-ly)

I have no idea! I’d like to be doing something I love and be surrounded by people I love. Unfortunately, all the other details are hazy. I’m not entirely sure where I will be or what I will be doing this fall. 



Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!

xo,
A.