Upon a first glance, Ari had an uncanny resemblance to one of my favorite celebrity style icons, Rachel Bilson. Ari’s wavy brown hair and effortless outfits exude a similar California-cool style that I love so much. And naturally, she hails from Los Angeles as well. However, Ari has her own take on laid back, effortless style – she uses cool jewelry to add interest to her outfits, and mixes and matches pieces in her wardrobe quite seamlessly. I decided this undeniably stylish Californian would make a fabulous addition to the Chic People archives, so I was excited to have the opportunity to interview her! Enjoy!
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1. How would you describe your style?
A: I honestly have such a hard time whenever I am asked this question, but let me give it a try. My style is always changing but I guess it’s a little LA/Cali laid back, and a little eclectic. I love mixing unexpected elements together, whether it be prints, styles, colors, shapes and so on. I am all for effortless personal style. I love what I love and I wear what I love period. I hate when fashion is forced, for whatever reason, especially when girls dress to please men. I dress for myself, and that makes me truly a happy person. I live in a smaller town near Los Angeles, so many times I get strange looks, glares, and even chuckles when I am out and about running errands in my sky high clogs or in other not very “common” outfits… and honestly I love it. I might be getting made fun of, but I love it. I take it as a compliment… I dress to please myself and that’s not easy to do, it’s not something that everybody can do.
2. What makes an outfit feel complete to you?
A: I love accessorizing. I have noted before on my Chictopia posts and blog posts that if I don’t wear jewelry I feel as if I am naked. So before I walk out the door I make sure “to sprinkle” okay maybe pile on my accessories. I think the right shoe can make or break an outfit. Simply by changing the shoe style you wear with an outfit changes the whole feel and look of it. I love shoes, right now for me it’s all about sky high wedges, and thick stacked heels. Also, like I mentioned before jewelry, layered especially tons of rings and layered bracelets, and bold necklaces. Basically, what makes an outfit feel complete to me are all the little details you add when accessorizing, which many times is when an outfit becomes your own. For example, a dress without any accessories is just a dress, but once you add the accessories and style it, it can be anything you want it to be.
3. What influences what you wear? Basically, what inspires you?
A: I can get inspired anywhere and by anything. Like Coco Chanel once said fashion exists everywhere, and I usually go through phases. Usually my sources of inspiration range from designer runway collections, editorials, street style, style icons like Mary Kate Olsen, Alexa Chung and so on, but right now I am mostly inspired by what I like to call “real girl” style. I love looking through different blogs, and through the Chictopia style gallery, I get inspired by what other girls are wearing. Before blogging and Chictopia my only way of being inspired by other stylish ladies was pretty much by people watching everywhere and anywhere I went. I kid you not… if I went to a baseball game I would sit there and just look at the people passing by, and what they were wearing. You asked me for the score, and I was lost, asked me for the girl that passed by with the super cute boots and I knew who she was. Okay I will admit I still do that all the time!
4. What are your interests outside of fashion? Do you work, are you a student? Tell us a little about that!
A: Well I will admit, I am beyond obsessed with fashion, I feel like it’s something that is on my mind 24/7. Right now I am a Fashion Merchandising student; I work part time (mostly to support my lovely shopping habit). I am currently looking to start interning, and all that fun stuff. I love to shop, blog, discuss fashion, okay pretty much anything to do with fashion interests me. Outside of fashion I love spending time with my family, boyfriend, and friends. I love to travel, love to eat, read, watch movies, listen to music, discovering new music, dancing. I love art, visiting museums, and learning more about different cultures and history.
5. What fall fashion trends are you looking forward to? Do you plan on bringing any of your summer-staple pieces into fall?
A: I am super excited about the velvet trend, camel colored coats, laced up and clog boots/booties, shearling leather jackets (a la Burberry), warm and rich brown towns, and the appearance of red and black together. As for transitioning some of my summer items to fall…I am planning on wearing my summer wedges with socks for fall and layering my maxi dresses and skirts with fall outerwear like blazers and leather jackets to “fall” them up ;)
Take some inspiration from Ari’s attitude and any of her outfits!
1. grey in the middle
2. jean
3. switch it up
4. sheer/army/cheetah
5. maxi separates
Also be sure to visit Ari’s Chic Blog, ari_c, and her personal blog, La Catrina de LA Moda.
xox Catherine
