Blogworthy, a new series from Foxxology Report, will profile trailblazers in the urban online space and explore how they are tackling the challenges of new media and building their digital brands.
Fashion Bomb Blogger Claire Sulmers
New York City fashionista and urban style connoisseur, Claire Sulmers, has created one of the most bookmarkable blogs for trendsetters: The Fashion Bomb. Claire launched the site in 2006 and has since then masterfully balanced blogging with her role as a researcher/reporter at Real Simple and as a frequent freelancer for publications like Essence, Uptown, New York, and Heart & Soul. She has also branded herself and The Fashion Bomb by creating regular features like “Real Style” where she profiles everyday urbanistas and “Mail Bombs,” her daily solutions for fashion dilemmas. Foxxology Report got a chance to chat with the haute lady about the good and bad of blogging, her media favorites and her next major life move.
FR: I first want to say I love your blog and have it bookmarked! But for those who may not be familiar with The Fashion Bomb, what’s your site’s main mission?
Claire: The Fashion Bomb’s main mission is to celebrate people of color in the fashion industry, provide wardrobe solutions, celebrity looks for less and we also like to profile designers who may not always be featured in the mainstream.
FR: So, you’ve been blogging for a little over two years now but you’re also a writer by trade. How do you balance working, blogging and freelancing on side projects?
Claire Sulmers with designer Zac Posen
Claire: Honestly, it’s a lot of late nights- it’s a lot of waking up early and staying up late. It’s multitasking…sometimes that might mean staying late to do a little freelancing work at my desk or answering “Mail Bombs.” It’s just, you know, a lot of time management and working hard.
FR: Now, you’ve recently hosted Meet & Greets in New York and Los Angeles. Events can be a powerful extension of your brand. Are you considering other brand extensions – like books or TV? And what do you see as next steps for The Fashion Bomb?
Claire: I am definitely interested in writing a book, trying to get set up with an agent as we speak. It might not necessarily be about The Fashion Bomb though. I think I can contribute something to what’s out there because there aren’t a lot of books about black fashion out right now. A lot of people have mentioned television but I’m not really interested in doing that. So, definitely a book and maybe TV.
FR: So, I hear you’re moving to Paris! That’s exciting. Tell me about your move and how do you think it will impact your blog? Like for example: the time difference.
Claire: While on vacation, I noticed [Paris is] six hours ahead. So, I can start working at noon which will actually be easier on me because it will be morning for everyone else [in the U.S.]. It will definitely help with my sleeping patterns! And one of my interns, Adriana, will be updating two days out of the week. I’m also giving her a digital camera so she can take pictures for Real Style and answer half of the “Mail Bombs.” And I’ll be giving readers a look into the way Europeans do [fashion]. So, I don’t think the site will suffer.
Bloggers Perez Hilton and Claire Sulmers
FR: I noticed you’re a fan of celebrity blogs like Perez Hilton and Bossip and fashion blogs like Chic & Untroubled and Fashionista. What are your other favorite media outlets, whether print, online or TV?
Claire: My favorite magazine to read is The New Yorker, which some people might find surprising. I just love reading The New Yorker. There are so many interesting stories and I just feel like I learn something after reading it. I think it’s important for any writer, even fashion writers, to be well-balanced and know about other things besides fashion- like politics and international news.
FR: Okay, last question. Any advice for aspiring bloggers or young media professionals?
Claire: Keep at it. Everyday gets more and more difficult. It’s more difficult than you can imagine to distinguish yourself because people are starting blogs everyday. Trademark your name. Buy your url. And just be you. Don’t try to be Young, Black and Fabulous. Don’t try to be Bossip. Don’t try to be The Fashion Bomb. Because they’re already out there. Be you because nobody can do what you do.
