When it comes to being a true fashionista, look no further than this Chictopia Style Icon. While most gals change their attire and accessories to stay fashion forward, this girl keeps it fresh by doing just that (and changing her hair color on a regular basis). Recently just started blogging, this style maven already has multiple sponsors and a cult-like following. Let’s get to know a bit more about this up-and-coming Style Icon!
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AnnikaVictoria: also known as Annika, age 19, Neuroscience Student
Location: Australia
Blog: The Pineneedle Collective
It must have been an awesome discovery that you became one of Chictopia’s Style Icons during your birthday month! Why do you think your style is so relatable to readers?
It was – although I was so slow to notice I’d been made a Style Icon – I had people commenting on my looks saying “Congratulations!” and I was just like – “Huh?? For what?” Then it finally clicked. But it’s definitely an honor. I was so excited once I realized what had happened! Many Chictopians have really colorful, eclectic and out-there styles, which I absolutely love about the community. And I hope that’s why people like my outfits, too!
We absolutely love your pink bob! Any suggestions for Chictopians in achieving the right hair color/hairstyle?
Patience – and plenty of it. It took about 3 months, 7 bleaches (NOT in consecutive weeks, or it would have fallen out!) and 4 tubs of different dyes to get my hair to a color I was happy with. But I did it all at home! I have a small tutorial on my blog regarding home bleaching and dying, because from the horror stories I’ve heard/witnessed, if you don’t do bleach correctly there are some pretty severe consequences. I would suggest that if you want a crazy hair colour, you need to be able to put up looking pretty odd for a couple of months – which means accepting that you will most likely accidentally dye your hair green or grey (like I did) before you get a good color going.
Although you’ve only been blogging for nine months, what inspired you to blog about your outfits?
Basically, I went on a crazy online shopping binge when I got my first proper job in early 2011 and suddenly had my own money to spend on whatever I wanted. So I ended up with both a lot of clothes to take photos of, and a really good list of cheap online stores. I really wanted to share with people the idea that it is possible to dress well on a budget, so I started blogging! And then when I learned to sew a couple of months ago and got into DIYing, my blog became a great creative outlet. I was able to share with the community what I’d made and get good feedback as well as other ideas from the crafty people in the blogging world.
There are many DIY fashion blogs, but not many DIY vintage fashion blogs – and your sections of DIYs are marvelous. Where do you get your inspiration from when it comes to a certain DIY project?
Thank you so much! Much of my inspiration comes from visiting op shops and charity stores far too often, and thinking up all ways I could alter/adapt the clothes I find there. Another place for my inspiration is just browsing through sites like Chictopia and seeing people wearing things which I really want – then thinking about how I could make it for myself. It has also been extremely useful learning to sew in the last couple of months, it’s made doing any kind of DIY seem possible!
You’re welcome, Annika! Now, any tips for Chictopians who want to begin their first DIY clothing?
Buy a cheap sewing machine (or unearth one, if you’ve got one hiding away in a dark corner of a closet) and learn to sew! I always have people messaging me saying, “I’m jealous! I wish I knew how to sew!” But it’s not as hard as it might seem! I was absolutely awful at sewing in high school textiles class, but once I had my own machine (as a Christmas present from my parents) and got to play around on it a bit, I discovered that it’s actually really easy to make basically anything you put your mind to!
As for handmade things, we do have many sellers who do sell handmade, one-of-a-kind items as well as new items. Which are your top 8 items from Chictopia Shop?
1. Lovita Decimal Shoes (Decimal Shoes, $39)
2. Judy Cut Out Dress (Mod Dolly, $54 – I actually just bought this dress)
3. Regina Decimal Shoes (Decimal Shoes, $30)
4. Vintage Blood Red Orange Pleated Collar Dress (Skinny Bitch Apparel, $68)
5. Sweet Peter Pan White Lace Dress (Chic Wish, $48)
6. Vintage Sleeveless Dress (ClubCouture, $39)
7. Retro Glamour Golden Mustard Lace Bow Tie (Equeglitz, $18)
8. 50s Style Polka dot Dress (Style Icons’ Closet, $49)
Even though you have your mind set on being a neuroscientist, do you think that you will do something fashion-related in the future?
While being a research scientist is definitely my number one goal, I would absolutely love to either design clothes for someone or run my own small label. But I guess I will just see where blogging will take me for now – I’m so amazed by all the doors it’s opened for me in just the last 9 months!
What inspires you each day to get up in the morning to dress fashionably and style yourself? Any advice for Chictopians in finding inspiration to be more fashionable?
I’m most comfortable when I’m dressed up! Just like someone may find slipping into jeans and a hoodie the easiest thing to do, I find that putting on a nice dress, a cute cardigan and pairing it up with patterned socks or stockings and a boater hat is the most natural thing for me. And besides, life is too short to dress dull.
I would advise Chictopians to not worry about what other people think of you and what you’re wearing – wear what you want! If you look confident, your outfit will shine, and so will you!
That’s great advice! What 3-4 staple items should every Chictopian have in their closet?
1. A sturdy vintage belt with a large, elegant buckle.
2. A circle skirt – they go with everything!
3. A boater hat – as you may have noticed, I never take mine off!
4. Brogues/oxfords in contrasting tones, only the greatest shoes (in my opinion) ever created.
Lastly, what was the most expensive thing you ever bought, and why?
Clothing-wise? Hmm. I think that would be these thigh-high converse-style shoes that I saved up for FOREVER when I was 15 (and then never wore because I was too shy. But that’s another story.) I bought them because I was very slightly into punk/lolita clothing at that time. And I think they were about $150, which really, in the fashion world, is not very expensive at all. It shows how cheap I am, haha. I think I’ll have to dig them out now I’ve remembered about them, they were really cool…
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Thanks Annika for sharing her tips and perspective about fashion! Leave comments here!
Every month, Everybody Is Ugly will be featuring an interview with a Chictopia Style Icon! Check out last month’s interview with Olivia Lo of LusttForLife!
Remember, EverybodyIsUgly’s on Twitter! We try our best to tweet back! (@EverybodyIsUgly)
By Crystal
All images provided by AnnikaVictoria.
