Photos of stylish pairs or groups have always intrigued me, because photos of my friends and I depict us in t-shirts and shorts. Normally these photos are a rare sight here on Chictopia, but not anymore! The stylish pair, irisanddaniel, are taking over Chictopia together with their quirky and bold, yet fierce outfits (and their DIY Marc Jacobs-inspired bunny ears). Here you get not one, but two interviews!
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1. How are you two related—best friends, lovers, family? And how did you two meet and get into fashion?
Both: We are best friends. We met back in elementary school in fourth grade through mutual friends. We were in the same mix of friends so we were close but we did not become very best friends until our last year of middle school, and now we are basically inseparable. Everybody who knows us associates one with the other.
Iris: I first found editorials last year or in 2008. I don’t really remember how and why though. After looking at many editorials, it really sparked my interest in photography. My first favorite photographer was Steven Meisel because of the models he used. One of the models I noticed he photographed a lot was Sasha Pivovarova. She slowly became my favorite models. I used to only just look at the photos and not think much of it, but then I started to notice the clothes on the models. I searched up the designers names of the clothes and I think Luella was the first designer I searched up. As for taking wardrobe pictures, I got the idea from a user on Flickr. Now we have been taking ever since 10th grade.
Daniel: I have always been interested in style, fashion, and art but I was never very knowledgeable in fashion until recently. In 2008, I discovered fashion blogs for the first time and felt completely inspired. I always dressed slightly off or weird to everyone else, and seeing others post their outfits jump started my interest in knowing more about fashion, designers, and trends. I remember after learning about countless designers and seeing many pieces, I never took the time to actually look at any shows. The first two shows that really impacted me were Fall 2009’s Chanel RTW and Givenchy Haute Couture shows. Those two houses remain my favorite and I think it is a result of having such a strong connection with them being my first foray into knowing what my style was to become.
2. Sometimes both of your outfits coordinate and I think it’s adorable! Do you influence each other’s style at all? If so, how?
Daniel: Thank you! We really don’t plan out our outfits together and if I tell Iris what I’m wearing, she doesn’t choose her outfit based upon mine, but they just always end up coordinating. It’s really quite strange. People always tell us we match all the time, but it really is an unconscious decision. I think Iris influences my style by making it more classic and refined. I have an affinity to dramatic runway looks and always changing trends, so Iris’ style makes me see the side of fashion that is completely about personal style and interpreting trends and fashion in an individual way.
Iris: I think Daniel does influence my style. I wear stuff I thought I would never wear since I tend to always stick to one style which can be good, but boring at times. He influenced me to dress more interesting. He was the one pushed the “No pants for Iris” rule (sort of as a joke) and only wear dresses/skirts, which I’m glad he did because I’m obsessed with dresses now. I used to refuse wearing dresses, now I cringe looking back at old photos of me in pants.
3. Iris, if you were to go shopping for Daniel, what would you buy him? Daniel, if you were to go shopping for Iris, what would you buy her?
Iris: I would buy him new high quality leather shorts, since his current ones are fake leather. I feel like they’re about to rip anytime he sits down haha. If prices didn’t matter, I’d buy him something from Chanel since he’s obsessed with it and all. I’d probably get him a bag. I could also get him really tall platform shoes, haha.
Daniel: Oh gosh, I’m not sure what to say! Hmm, I think I would buy Iris a Chloe-esque cape in beige, because I know she’s wanted that for a long time. If I had an unlimited budget, I would buy her the Alexa Mulberry bag and the beige dog printed Miu Miu platforms.
4. What is your current favorite summer trend, and why?
Iris: Mixing patterns and prints is one of my favorite summer trends because it makes your outfit look more interesting. Most of my clothes is all patterns and prints; I barely have any solid colored clothing. I usually incorporate this trend in all seasons. Another favorite is ladylike dressing. Although the collection isn’t a “summer trend”, the Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 10/11 collection pretty much depicts how I want to dress. I’ve been obsessed with longer lengths for skirts. I love little girl style, like Madeline or Eloise haha. I live for all the bows and ruffles
Daniel: My favorite summer trends are sheer/lace, shorts for men, Spring/Summer leather and total white. I’m not sure why, but I have been loving anything sheer or lacey, it just looks so exciting and different for an everyday, especially when worn dramatically, such as a veil or a cape. Shorts are a definite must have for summer, they keep outfits weather appropriate. Leather is always great looking, either edgy or refined and I love the idea of using an out of season fabric. Total white is great, I love looking at the crisp minimalism of an all white outfit, it always looks interesting and eye catching.
5. What is your go-to outfit on those days when you wake up late and have to head out the door within minutes?
Iris: Since I pretty much only wear skirts and dresses. It isn’t really that difficult for me. I usually just put on a skirt, button up shirt, tights, and jacket even though the weather isn’t always jacket appropriate at times. I need a jacket with me at all times, haha.
Daniel: My go-to outfit is probably similar to most people. I always go for a striped shirt, black pants, and a jacket if it is cold. I love a striped shirt, it is instant chic and it’s also my favorite pattern. My lazy outfits usually consist of looser bottoms, so a striped shirt with some high-waisted black wide leg pants is usually my answer. It looks impossibly refined while being comfortable and easy.
6. I know that you’re both seniors in high school. If you two were to end up going to different colleges, would you each separate to your own blogs and Chictopia accounts?
Daniel: Wow, I have never thought about that before. It’s quite sad actually, haha. I think we would keep a joined blog. Even from different locations, our friendship is strong enough to transcend that. I think we could keep blogging and have it act like a communicator between us to keep separate lives together. Chictopia would be a different story though, I think we might need to split that up, but we will stay together on it as long as we possibly can. I plan on staying close to home for college, and if Iris does as well then that will be easy to maintain.
Iris: Like what Daniel said, I never really thought about that and it is sad. We are most likely going to different colleges since he will be going to a university near home. For me I want to be as far away from home and move to New York, probably for an art or fashion centered school. We’re probably gonna keep the blog. For Chictopia, I may or may not continue it if we have to separate, but hopefully that won’t have to happen. Chictopia has been so much fun and we want to keep going on it for as long as possible.
More of them, you can visit their blog, We Have No Style
More of my personal photos and writings on my blog, Transient Withdrawal
