I met Danielle Meder of Final Fashion fame two years ago at an event she used to organize called the Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch. When she asked me if I would be able to do a Fashion Blog Karma profile for her website, I had a little internal giddiness. Her talent is boundless as a fashion illustrator, definitely take a look at her website for the Q&A avec moi.

Another profile was published today, by Shweta Wahi from SOLACE (she’s the young designer whose Q&A I still have to publish!) Check out her blog post on urbanebloc & me here.

If you so be interested, the content is after the jump below (and if you’re reading this via email – it’s all together. Longest email of life – I love you email subscribers!!)

Final Fashion Profile:

Gloria is another fashion blog friend discovered over brunch back in the day.  Her blog, UrbaneBloc covers fashion, shopping and gadgets, music and design… you know, things she likes! It is both personal and polished which is an admirable combination in a fashion blog.

She also has a quirky sense of humour and a soft voice which combined is instantly endearing.  I asked her a few questions about what she likes and how she blogs.

UrbaneBloc is one of the sites I like to click through from my RSS feed for because the look is so distinctive. How did you arrive at the design for the site, including the gorgeous logo and the style of captions-on-photos?

Thank you so much – it means so much coming from a talented fashion illustrator such as yourself! I think it took a lot of trial and error to get to this point – it’s a mash up of aesthetic styles I like. The captions are always a product of toying with effects, and sometimes beautiful fluke.

For the urbanebloc logo, I knew I wanted something simple and universal (meaning it would appeal to anyone and everyone, and could apply to all aspects of fashion and culture coverage).

The design of the site was just something that evolved over time. Be on the look out for the next version within the next little while!

You teamed up with Chris from Mindzai.com two years in a row to curate The Peek, an exhibition of contemporary local artists and designers. How did the idea for the Peek come about, and how do you and Chris pick the artists for The Peek?

THE PEEK is an event that originally started out as a Mindzai.com event – Chris is one of my best friends so I wanted to contribute. It grew into something much more, a collaborative effort. Instead of showcasing visual and graphic artists, we brought in a fusion of fashion, music, photography, and visual arts. It was a really unique blend of people that we knew from the Toronto community. We reached out to artists that represented the most incredible emerging talent, many of whom we had admired in the past.

Besides fashion UrbaneBloc also covers techy stuff, music and urban culture. So I have to ask, how do you define “urban culture”?

I have a fascination with city-slicker lifestyle – much of which stemmed from the fact that I’m an uptown dweller. I love the culture that’s housed in the epicenter (sorry, geek word) of a city. I love to play downtown – the trendiest, most sophisticated, and downright most interesting folk congregate and create this urban culture. It’s not necessarily the most popular trends that dictate this culture. But that’s my take.

What are your favourite blogs, websites and magazines?

I’m a fan of Toronto fashion blogs. Yulanda from Little Thoughts is great, Final Fashion (love the illustration style), I check in with lookbook.nu sometimes. The standard FashionToast is always great, because you wonder how she gets her photos to look the way she does (and it’s something that’s coming for urbanebloc.com). I love lookbooks that are created by online retailers, like Shopbop.com, RevolveClothing.com, and ModCloth.com (dream job – being a stylist for a plethora of branded beauties). Magazine favourites include the general FASHION Mag, but I definitely dig the more independent ones like MetroPop, and The Block has some nifty looks. Lula is a magazine that’s pretty hard to obtain sometimes – but it’s filled with pages upon pages of beautiful imagery.

What have you learned from the process of developing UrbaneBloc for the past two years?

So much that I don’t know if I could confine it to anything remotely succinct in description! I learned that blogging is a huge undertaking – it’s about being connected online and offline. I learned that you only get out of it as much as you put into it. In this case, I’ve put a lot of my life into it and I’ve seen an abundance of positive response and results – much of which has been a reflection of my fantastic friends and readers.

I’m definitely happy on the path that I’m on. All the other perks are just icing on the delectable cupcake.

SOLACE Style Profile:

Gloria Chik is a 23 year old blogger, social media specialist, sometimes event planner, designer, fashion lover, and aspiring photographer.

SOLACE believes that we have a lot to learn from this industry professional. A little one on one for our valued readers:

PROFESSION: Social Media Specialist and Blogger

HOBBIES: Finding new music, trial photography and photo editing, graphic design, doodling, reading random books that friends give me, ogling furniture, running amuck downtown finding new spots to eat and have my caffeine intake.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR STYLE: My style is a mixture of casual means business (but not business casual), a tad risky, trend embracing but not afraid of the classics. I love bursts of colour, sometimes a bit too much.I adore local designers and the lesser known brands – that’s definitely the way to seek out your own style and chase originality.

I believe in the hunt. Vintage is not something to fear. If you’re budget conscious, it only makes you more resourceful. Cash doesn’t ever mean style. It’s all about developing an eye for what works for you, and being able to spot things.

I believe in fate and not impulse. That means not buying something because it looks “okay” on you. Only acquire things that you absolutely love and can see yourself wearing in multiple situations.

FASHION FETISH: Scarves and belts. I have an overflowing amount that I indulge in. And no, I won’t stop anytime soon.

SOMETHING THAT PUTS YOU OFF: Leggings as pants, people that sport trends from half a decade ago, crocs, socks with sandals, and sweatpants tucked into uggs (neither should be worn in public)

A LITTLE FASHION ADVICE TO ALL: For the most part, comfort is key. But make yourself uncomfortable sometimes – whether it’s colour, shape, or a trend you’re not sure will catch on. Why stick to the safe when you can venture and take calculated risks. You’ll be glad you did (or I will be for you)

THE OUTFIT:

Gloria describes this look as “summer-transition-into-fall”. Over here Gloria can be seen in a slightly oversized dress from Mexx, with a hint of colour (Wilfred Neon jersey dress with pocket from Aritzia) and a double-sided belt from Brave Belts. Her Orb Convertible Purse / Messenger Bag from Blossom Boutique completes the casual look which could work very well for a day out on the weekend.

FINAL VERDICT:

OKAY. HOLD UP. How cute are those Bregantini Cage Sandals from ALDO?! Gloria’s look is casual and yet very chic..

Less is more ladies, less is more.

And SOLACE agrees 100% when she says don’t be afraid to take that calculated risk – her oozing confidence is what gives her that element of understated elegance. And lets not forget the overlook the fact that Miss Chik’s legs look stunning! Flaunt what you have girlies. That’s what it’s all about.

And! For more information on Miss Chik, please visit her blog!

> credits to finalfashion.ca and solacesstyle.blogspot.com