Interview with a Local Style Icon: Kristine Kirong

Story by Praise Santos | Photos by Chantal van der Meijden
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Chictopia.com is becoming one of the top style resources in the fashion world [wide web]. It features style blogs from everyday people. If you're unfamiliar with this new phenomena, think the genius that is the user-generated content of YouTube metamorphosed (it's a real verb, believe me) to the artistry found on a fashion runway show. These fashion blogs have been changing the face of the industry, bridging the gap from unattainable fashions to street style--they basically give top fashion mags a run for their money.

Central Florida resident Kristine Kirong is editor of Chictopia's EverybodyIsUgly blog and a similar force to be reckoned with. OTownStyle.com chats with Kristine about blogging, the future of fashion, and Kimmy Gibbler.

OTownStyle.com: How many hours a day do you blog?
Kristine Kirong: It all depends--if it's for a job, then two or three, including photos and editing. If it's for myself, usually just a few minutes or even seconds. Sometimes ideas pop into my head that I just want to share and I don't think personal blogging should ever feel like a job--especially since it already is my job!

OTS.com: What peaked your interest in fashion?
KK: I've always been interested in beautiful things, and not so much clothing. I love conceptual fashion. I love art and photography, even makeup artistry. If there is an idea that is executed artistically and made tangible, then I'm interested. If it's just clothing in stores, I'm not really all that interested.

OTS.com: What other fashion bloggers do you follow?
KK: Some of these fashion bloggers are actually my friends and former colleagues. I love CocoRosa; she was my old boss at one time and became a very close friend. Bt that's not why I love her: she's so creative and everything she does--everything--is conceptual. She taught me a lot about taking inspiration from the world and manifesting that inspiration through clothing. Luxirare is also mind-blowing. I follow a lot of art blogs, too.

OTS.com: What do you think of 13-year-old fashion blogger and Internet "It Girl" Tavi Williams of Style Rookie?
KK: I think being thirteen is hard--and was hard for everyone. I have to applaud her for having such a strong sense of self and being brave enough to be who she is. She's very artistic and quite the visionary, and lots of adults don't get it--I can't say I always do--but in the face of other 13 year olds, the girl is definitely brave and I admire that.

OTS.com: So many fashion-centric shows and movies have come out in the past few years (Project Runway, Devil Wears Prada, The September Issue). What do you think is the public's misconception [and the media's inaccurate portrayal] of the fashion world? What stereotypes hold true?
KK: I think the biggest misconception for the public is that fashion is just clothes--retail, malls, et cetera--and that the people in this industry are vapid, shallow and inconsequential to society. But for people in the industry, it's a business, a lifestyle, an art form. Every runway show, every piece of clothing has a story and I don't think the public ever really cares to hear it. The stereotype that does hold true is that many companies--though I can only speak for the ones I've worked for and the things my friends tell me--are really that intense. They're not arrogant or condescending--I don't think they mean to be, anyway--it's just that New York and this business moves very fast and when they say "jump" you do it and don't ask questions. I like it. They don't waste time.

OTS.com: I've followed your blog on Chictopia but remind me again: why is everybody ugly?
KK: Ha ha, well actually, there have been two editors before me and the first is the one that came up with the name. It's modeled after an Oscar Wilde quote.

OTS.com: Describe Orlando's style in one word.
KK: Safe.

OTS.com: What stores--or even what mindset--would Central Florida style benefit from?
KK: I think more people need to take risks and not worry about what other people are going to think. I don't think it's about stores, because I don't think anyone should be confined to one particular style. But I do think people need to experiment a little more. Stop being cardboard cut-outs of catalogs!

OTS.com: Do you ever foresee Kimmy Gibbler's [of Full House] style gracing the public anytime soon?
KK: Totally, it already has. You just have to look at the TOPSHOP Unique Spring 2010 show to see it!

OTS.com: What is the best compliment/comment on your style that you've received?
KK: Whenever someone tells me they don't know anyone else that dresses like me. I mean, I know there are hundreds of other girls that do; I don't think I'm that unique. But it's always flattering when you are trying to cultivate truly personal style and someone else notices that.

OTS.com: Describe a highlight of yours from New York Fashion week.
KK: Getting my picture taken by street style photographers and trend forecasters! I know it's strange, but it's always been a goal of mine--a fashion milestone, so to speak. And it never happened when I was living there, but I got shot a few times while I was there for Fashion Week. I also saw Kate Lanphear [style director at Elle], who is amazing.

OTS.com: Fashion+the internet birthed fashion blogs. What future technology do you see adding another dimension to fashion and how?
KK: This whole social media revolution has brought a once abstract concept into our homes, and fashion blogs make people feel like they know the person getting dressed--we trust them and their judgments. That's why a lot of blogs have become saturated with well-placed and not-so-well-placed marketing and PR plugs, which is very annoying. It doesn't feel as organic as it used to or as it should, but that's the nature of social media. I think we're going to move into something more organic and I'm not sure what that is yet. A few people have been creating their own magazines, which I think is amazing. It's sort of an odd evolution, no? Many people turned away from magazines to blogs because magazines were so saturated with advertising and now bloggers are creating their own magazines. So who knows? Maybe that's the next evolution.