Blogger Spotlight: Fashionhedge
Yarina is the blogger behind the ethical fashion blog Fashionhedge. Her blog is your guide to the wide world of slow, ethical and sustainable fashion. Yarina writes unabashedly, tackling everything from sustainable fashion debates to women in media and pop culture. If you’re just starting to dip your toes into the world of ethical fashion, let Fashionhedge be your first stop.
What inspired you to start Fashionhedge?
I started learning about some of the issues behind the supply chains in the global fashion industry. I thought that others like me might want to know how to take a more sustainable approach to fashion and shopping in general, so I decided to share new developments in the world of sustainable and ethical fashion and my thoughts on the movement.
Which post on your blog most encapsulates you and why?
I add dorky and unnecessary pop culture references to most of my posts. The one about Away Luggage references the Simpsons, there’s another titled after an Air Supply song and I wrote a super personal one where I share with my readers the results from my 23andMe ancestry report, a geeky thing I always wanted to know.
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
Maybe the 23andMe one. It’s slightly off-topic with respect to the rest of the site, but I still think it’s a very cool service.
What’s your biggest challenge as a blogger?
To connect with people and build relationships without necessarily being a public person, which I don’t really want to be.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a blogger?
Consistency might be the #1 key to success. More important than SEO, photo skills or even writing skills.
Share a couple of your favourite blogs. Why do you like them?
I look up to Oracle Fox for photography inspiration and style editorials – she’s one of the best in the industry. Wait But Why is a ridiculously good blog. It’s not about fashion, but you should check it out!
Can you tell us about a product you’ve owned forever and why it’s important to you?
The closest to “forever” is a black satin top I bought in seventh grade while shopping with my best friend. It was around $20, which at the time seemed like a lot to me and my high-school budget, but it fit so well that I got it in black and white. I still have them and I wear the black one often; it still fits perfectly. The white one has a small stain, but if it didn’t, I would still wear it all the time.
What is important to you when you’re buying clothing?
I try to think beyond the present trends and if it’s the best fit for me. It must be versatile too – maybe that’s why I only own black and white clothes! I pay for quality, but generally, I don’t pay too much more for brands. The fit is #1. eBay is one of my best sources of designer fashion.
Can you tell us about the last time something broke and disappointed you?
A vintage Gucci belt, but I got a new (vintage) one! Also, any time a good pair of shoes dies, it’s a mini-tragedy. I tend to keep things forever and take good care of them, so I don’t deal with things breaking too much.
What vision do you have for Fashionhedge over the next 10 years?
It will probably evolve with my lifestyle and career. I might add contributors if I find the right fit and I will add new categories that are a nice complement for the current repertoire. Right now I’m working on adding more wearable tech and travel posts.
What do you love most about being a blogger and what drives you to keep going at it?
I like the fact that I am the sole queen master of this project. There is nothing or nobody that influences what I write about. Every single post happens because I legitimately want it to. The way I write, the photos and the point of view are completely unconstrained to any interest outside of doing what I like and offering something that I think others will enjoy as well. Making money and using the blog as a live experiment for my career as a digital marketer are nice perks.