Happy Monday!
This past Saturday, I was offered the awesome opportunity to participate on the keynote panel of the Blogging While Brown Conference alongside Necole Bitchie, Karen Civil, and Angel Laws of Concrete Loop.
The subject was “From Blogging to Empire Building“, and we chatted about the positives and negatives of blogging, and also offered pointers on how to turn your hobby into a business (the short answer: mix passion with hard work).
The ladies who shared the stage with me are not only colleagues, but are also inspirations, so it was an exciting moment–and hopefully a foreshadowing of even more fabulous things to come.
Faith was traveling and Cliché got the times mixed up, but Jihan did come through in a spring ready Equipment striped shirt and Zara floral pants, topped off by a Jewelmint Necklace and Aldo white pumps.
As for me, I slipped on one of my (and Jihan’s) favorite designers, Mary Katrantzou, specifically her Spring 2013 printed long sleeve blouse and Venezuela skirt.
I accessorized with Proenza Schouler Silver Sandals, a Baublebar Twitter nameplate necklace, vintage sunnies, and my favorite Proenza plum bag.
Apparently Necole and Angel took video of the proceedings, so I’ll update the post once I get a link.
Until then, what do you think of my conference look?
P.S. Shout out to the readers who came, including Toia of the Blog www.luvtobnatural.com…
And Mikelah of StyleandVibes.com.
If we took a pic, send it to me. I’ll update the post throughout the day!
Images: Lydia Hudgens/Instagram
Cute! I swear I’m always obsessing over your lip colours.
As a media studies student majoring in Journailism and Advertising. I must say Claire you are such a role model- in the country where I come from there’s not many serious and passionate bloggers like you… I’m so glad I came across this blog a few months ago. It has set the standard for me on how I need to go about things when I do blog- plus I’ve researched you as a person and your credentials are beyond impressive… I look up to you… Not forgetting to answer your question above: YOU LOOKED GORGEOUS ON SATURDAY!
You look amazing!!
Claire you look beautiful. It’s great to see my favorite bloggers all at once.
Claire, you shut it down in this outfit. I absolutely think you look so chic and summer like. #BOSS That’s all!
Very nice
Hot!
You look amazing! xo
want the whole Mary K look but you alllll knew that already!
Jihan I think you would truly benefit from a different hairstyle ! Your outfit is fab, but your hair truly does you no justice .. You have great features, so maybe a nice short cut ! & Claire, you’re ALWAYS so chic
You always look fabulous!!! #StaySlaying
Claire, you looked amazing (I loved your loc style and outfit) and really dropped some knowledge during the panel. Thank you for your insight and candor. One of my biggest take-aways was the recognition that blogging is really and truly a lot of hard work in front of the computer. I’m just working towards finding that balance while employed full time.
Your panel was a great way to end the conference. Thank you!
Tiffany
Your outfit looks great… I am sure that panel was great to watch and be apart of. http://www.shoppers-therapy.com
All my favorite bloggers :)!
You both look cute! Great to see Jihan dressed up. No shade, but she normally looks like she’s not thinking about fashion.
Love it from head to toe. You are beautiful. Your outfit was perfect. The hair is awesome. I would have love to been able to make this conference. I have been a admirer of Necole and Angel for some time; following their journeys very closely and now you are on this list as well. May many great and wonderful things continue to come your way.
Jihan, I love your writing style and sense of humour. But I do think it’s time for you to “fashion up” your personal style. You cannot be a fashion critic, judging celebs’s style while dressed like a middle school teacher. Add some vavavoom and edge to your hair, make-up and outfit. With your pretty face and fashion knowledge, your style would give so much more credilility. I hope I did not offend you.
Love this look Claire! You look stunning in head to toe prints! You’re a woman after my own style heart.
@Emma
I think being true to myself and my tastes is what gives me “credibility!”
xo
cute :)
Lovely and gorgeous.
Claire, you did it on them again, lol. I love everything about the look. And yes to your legs. Quick question, did you get a slight tan from wearing those high strap sandals? Don’t worry, its barely noticeable. If anything, its just telling of your style.
Blessings
OMG. Those legs. You need to call Shawn up from Insanity and get him to put you on the DVD cover!
You have some bomb legs ma’am
Emma makes a good point–I do expect a fashion writer to look fashionable. That doesn’t mean expensive by any means but on the industry pulse-which Jihan never really does. Claire does which maybe why it’s Claire’s website and Jihan works for HER. Claire needs to be a fashionbomb and not anyone else.
@Emma,co-sign I agree. I like Jihan too,but her celeb style “reads” at times border on the aura of Miranda Priestly. Yet Jihan’s personal style just doesn’t echo hip and chic “fashion editor”, more shy Vogue-reading librarian.
To me the “slays” would be more credible, if the personality behind it was serving fresh and chic in the fashion area herself.
Just observation. At the end of the day, our style is our own, so carry on!
I was definitely in attendance and you and Angel were amazing, but your HAIR!!! girrrrrl, loved!
There’s something about that Necole girl that just rubs me wrong..really wrong…
Claire, you look amazing!
Congrats! You look amazing and I’m sure those in attendance gained something, if nothing more than inspiration.
As a side note, it appears your locs are thinning a bit at the roots and it makes the hairstyle look a bit unbalanced. For me the hairstyle is the ultimate fashion accessory so my eye drew to that. Perhaps a darker hair color would be a bit more flattering and camouflage that a bit.
The hair on both Claire and Jihan is a no for me as well as Claire’s outfit. I really like the young lady’s beachy blond big hair. Angel never gets it right in the fashion department.
Totally agree with the comments about Jihan.
Yasss Claire, you look great! Love the outfit, hair, shoes, everything!
Maybe it was a last minute choice for Jihan, that happens to the best of us.
SN: The floral pants with the white pumps are cute.
Claire!!! You look marvelous darling!
Unfortunately, I agree with Emma, Jihan needs to up her style. I love her writing, very cute lady; however, her gear is not Fashion Bomb worthy.
Hot to trot! I love the outfit and your hair is laid girlfriend! Great look, quite appropriate for the occasion as well!
Oooh some came for Jihan stop that lol. Lovely post Claire beautiful as usual Jihan looks great too.
Peole irk me sometimes!! This post should be about celebrating influential young women in our community. Yet, some of you decided to focus on what Jihan is wearing ??? She looks fine and as she stated she is true to herself and in my book that’s a thumbs up because many of us get lost in all the glitz and glamour…… Anywho Claire you look beautiful and congratulations to you and your many accomplishments. Oh how I would love to have been there.
I was there and thought you both looked nice. Although, Claire, your best accessory was your radiant skin! Please share with us your skin regimen.
Fab print
Y’all went in on Jihan, i can understand what you’re all saying. But I really care about her commentaries and work than her fashion sense tbh.
I agree with Emma. Jihan seems to always show up to Claire’s events dressed as if she suddenly decided to ‘swing by’ the venue while in the middle of her Saturday mornning errands.
I don’t enjoy Claire’s style every time (although she looks good here), but I can tell that she at least tries to look finished and polished each and every time.
Werk Claire, I want to raid your closet. Love the idea behind the conference, black women bloggers have definately made a difference on the web.
Won’t take a loan officer seriously if she looks like she could use one too.
Tough room! Jihan I love your posts! Claire I love your everything except the hair. Love the color and the dreads but it’s always twisted so tight with no volume at the roots. Even though its not my cup of tea, as long as u like it that’s really all that matters!
Clearly one negative of blogging while Brown (or blogging on the whole) must be having others negatively judge you. People are people but it we should simply respect each others differences and tastes. What may work for you may not work for me. Simple as that. Everyone starts from somewhere — humble beginnings. To those who have recently been on The Fashion Bomb tip, there are some of us who have been here from the beginning when Claire wore those Nine West pumps to Bryant Park only to have the heel of her shoe break. Claire worked hard and came up. Jihan is working hard and coming up. I respect them both for perusing their passions and making a name for themselves. You both look wonderful and keep up the wonderful work.
claire! you look amazing, you are an inspiration to me although we are polar opposites. keep doing what you do, you’re going places!
Claire, please help Jihan with the fashion!!! Perhaps a Jihan makeover will suffice?! Love you Jihan, but not a fan of your overall look. You are pretty and have the cutest dimples, but need help in the fashion/image department.
Claire, you look gone with the northwest wind fabulous!!
Char I totally agree with the hair comments. I cringe everytime I see Claire’s hair.
Claire know she be stuntin.
Claire you are inspiring and you look wonderful.
kayz.
imma state the OBVIOUS & just say:
um, ClaireBear…take a note from Mariah and from one fierce leggy gal to another…..get the Gillette/Venus shaver peeps or some damn bady to INSURE. THOSE. DANG. LEGGGGS!!!
i mean seriously….those gams are the triple. truth. RUTH! Lol. :-D
I like Claire’s look head to toe !
Very cute look!
I would love a post about how Claire and Jihan handle critiques of their looks. Do you consider it to be part of the job? Does it take a backseat to to your writing? do you wish not to be judged by your outfit? It’s just so interesting,.. I’d love to hear from y’all. And I also am from way back and recall when Claire broke her Ninre West heels at BP. #FBD old skool!
Hey Guys, thanks for your comments!
@Kahalia instead of a post, I’ll just say: Being critiqued is part of the job. Gone are the days when fashion journalists could sit behind their computer and write reviews then leave their houses in the wardrobe of a weathered school teacher (Google Images of some of the most brilliant writers in the fashion industry: Suzy Menkes, Cathy Horyn, Robin Givhan..even a Nicole Phelps or Meenal Mistry). In this digital age, anyone who works in fashion in any capacity (and has their picture projected to the world) has to have an image that makes sense given their craft.
This might not be the case for the Style.com writers mentioned above, so let me clarify by saying that such is the case for bloggers, whether or not you’re a personal style blogger who only talks about their outfits or a content provider, which is moreso what we do.
I’m a writer first, ‘fashionista’ second. People confuse me sometimes with being a stylist (I’m not), but my outlook is: if I need to look the part, I’ll look the part.
I 100% expect critiques; negative comments don’t sting as much or for as long as they used to. And for those commenters who ALWAYS have something to say about my hair, for example, I just say thankfully it’s not on your head, so…be blessed.
And for the record!! The heels were by Bronx, not Nine West! Though I did break a pair of Nine West pumps as well back in the day. Y’all have been with me on the journey for a MINUTE and I appreciate you!
xoxo
These comments are hilarious. People seem to be split on Jihan’s outfit so I think we need an official “Hot or Not” post.
Who wore this look better? Tiwa Savage or Claire?
http://cdn.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/BN-Exclusive_-Tiwa-Savages-Once-Upon-a-Time-Album-Listening-Party-in-Lagos-May-2013-BellaNaija050.jpg
@ jihan you don’t need weave cascading down your back or a short cut. I love that you rocking your relaxed hair. I have put weaves aside and am becoming more comfortable with my relaxed hair. I love your writing your tooo funny n I think I saw u on Sunday Morning tv show so dope.
LOVE THIS SITE LOVE THE STYLES LOVE CLAIRES STYLE BUT YOUR LOCS ARE SCARING ME…THE ROOTS ARE THINNING WHICH I SUFFERED FROM. NO MORE TWISTS FOR A WHILE. OTHER THAN THAT – YOU ARE SLAYING THEM GIRLIE!