Emily took these pictures with her own HTC
Tell us a little bit about what you're doing with HTC?
I was asked by HTC to try out their new One X phone as my lifestyle is one that pretty much revolves around taking pictures on a daily basis and this just happens to be one of the best camera phones out there at the moment. So I took some time getting to know the phone and then took it out on some crazy adventures in and around London and parts of the United States. It was pretty incredible to discover all the ways in which this phone can operate from slow motion video to continuous burst mode (my personal favourite and one that will come in handy over fashion week).
Why did you want to get involved with this?
I am really interested in how mobile phones are progressing and how the features are advancing over time. For bloggers, in particular, we have to be dialled in constantly and to do that we have to have a mobile phone that’s reliable and able to access every social media tool out there pretty much simultaneously. The HTC One X really did live up to all my expectations when it came to navigation and performance. It’s a phone I’ve enjoyed showing to other bloggers and sharing with friends as it’s smart, functional and top of the range as far as innovative features are concerned.
Taking pictures of everyday life, what we're doing and eating are really popular at the moment, do you have any thoughts as to why this is?
I think people love living vicariously these days. We live in a world where facebook and twitter allow people to show a side to their life that they want people to see. You can actually manage your image now online and create a life for yourself as you want people to see it. That in itself is pretty amazing.
For fashion bloggers, I think people are most interested in seeing what we see because we are shown a great deal before it’s made available to the public, whether that be product launches, store openings or new collaborations. Some of the greatest fashion bloggers are where they are today because they give the world a wonderful front row seat to the world of fashion whether you live in Tennessee or Timbuktu.
You recently quit your job to blog for Fashion Foie Gras full time, how come you decided to do this now?
I came to a point where there was so much going on with FFG that I was only getting three hours of sleep a night. That just isn’t healthy. I had to make a decision to either kill the blog or leave the job so I thought I’d take a huge chance. It was actually opportunities like working with wonderful brands that ultimately pushed me to make the jump. It’s such an amazing pleasure to work with some of the world’s most respected brands and I really wanted to be able to give them my all. So the job had to go! Although I have to say it seems like I’m sleeping even less since I decided to do Fashion Foie Gras full time. Who would have thought that would happen?!
Tell us a bit about your blog, when and why you started it? Some of the success from it?
I started the blog in September 2009 so I’m actually approaching my third year in the online world. The whole blog started because I was checking about fifty different blogs every day to keep up to date with fashion news. I wasn’t altogether impressed with how it was being presented and I also didn’t find there was any one site that had it all. I saw a gap in the market and wanted to try and fill it with fashion news reported with a friendly, not intimidating, voice.
The blog is obviously very successful, what are your plans for it next? Where would you like to take it?
Thank you! There are a lot of projects in the works so all will be revealed! At the moment I am really just concentrating as much as I can on making sure the blog is updated as much as possible – between 8-10 posts a day and growing. I’m also looking to expand and hire some editorial staff to assist. It’s a big move forward but after writing it all by myself for three years I really have found that if I’m to achieve the dream of a full fashion news site, I’m going to need some help in covering it all! So that’s probably the next biggest step for me and it will be a tough one in trying to find voices that match my own.
Blogging is a great platform to be noticed in an industry, what tips would you have for someone considering starting it?
My best piece of advice would be to throw absolutely everything you have into the blog. I’ve really noticed that those of us that eat, sleep and breathe our blogs have come a long way. Those who just post once a week and don’t really push anything for content or social media, are being left behind. Use all sources for promotion and networking, whether that be facebook, twitter, linked in or otherwise. Keeping that in mind, make sure you invest in a mobile phone that can support your new focus… hello, HTC One X! Seriously, this phone is changing the game!
What other things do you have coming up? To do with your blog and any other campaigns, projects?
September is fashion month so of course I’ll be continuing to work with HTC to cover all the front row happenings from New York to Paris. That’s the real focus at the moment. There’s a lot of preparation involved so I’m trying to keep my eye on the ball. Other than that I’m moving from meeting to meeting and catching all the fashion news and gossip for FFG in between. I can say there are some very exciting collaborations ahead but nothing I can mention right now.
What's your ultimate goal for the blog and your career?
You know the funny thing is that two years ago I said all I really wanted to do was design a handbag. Then last November that happened when I designed a bag for Coach. So I guess it’s time to redefine that ultimate goal. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to make the blog a full time career and at the moment I want that to continue. So I guess you could say the real dream is being able to continue as a full time blogger!
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
The images featured were taken by Emily using her HTC device.