This week’s interview is with Jordanna Stephen of Fabaholics Anonymous Blogspot (F.A.Bspot).
How and when did you become interested in fashion?
I think I was always interested in fashion…since I was in the womb (LOL). My mom passed the fashion and shopping genes onto me. My mom and her sisters were the fashion icons I looked up to. One of my aunts was a fashion designer and fashion sketch artist. She was in the fashion world and went to FIT, and I think from early on I knew I wanted to go to FIT and work in fashion. Unfortch, I can’t draw, so designer was out, but thank goodness I got my mom’s writing skills and my dad’s computer skills so that now I am in fashion journalism and fashion pr.
P.S. I did graduate from FIT too. So my dreams were realized.
That is wonderful! So besides your inherited fashion and shopping genes, can you describe your fashion expertise?
Does being a shopaholic count? I don’t know if I would say I am an expert, but in my mind I am. LoL. I really just keep up with all of the fashion magazines. I subscribe to Lucky, Elle, InStyle, Bazaar, Vogue, and Teen Vogue (I might not be a teen, but I can still make it work, lol). I love when Fashion Week rolls around because I am glued to the TV watching all of the runway shows… “Thanks TiVo!” With all of the fashion reality shows like What Not to Wear, Project Runway, and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style it’s hard for me not to pick up some skills.
So you gain your knowledge the same way I do – by studying and living fashion. Do you remember your first pair of heels?
Love this question. I don’t remember how old I was, but my first pair of heels was for a wedding and they were the typical black patent leather mary janes with the tiny square heel. Remember those? OMG. Classic! I thought I was a big girl then. Haha.
Totally remember those!! Too cute. So how many pairs of shoes do you own?
Omg. I feel like Carrie Bradshaw, but w/o the Manolos. I have about 200 pairs of shoes. I took a count one day and just couldn’t believe it. The number included all shoes, sandals, flip-flops, boots, sneakers, flats, heels, mules, etc. It’s a lot I know…but I still feel like I never have the right pair of shoes on some days. LoL. I have no space for them either, I still live at home, so closet space is way limited. If I was the “old lady who lived in a shoe,” I could definitely change my residence a few times. LoL.
Who is your favorite shoe designer, and why?
It’s funny. If you look at my shoes, there is not a pattern of one designer. I am all across the board. I go to Nine West for my basic pumps (they fit my feet like a glove), Bakers for my boots (I wear boots all Fall and Winter and Bakers is affordable and come in funky colors sometimes), and Coach for my sneakers (I’m not an athletic girl, but their sneakers are perf because I get the comfort and the luxury). But my favorite shoe designer would be Christian Louboutin…despite my “not-so-Christian” budget. His shoes are feminine, sophisticated, sexy, and they have a signature (as in a signature red sole). I love that if you wear his shoe someone will know because of the red sole. Crazy right?
I know, I hope that one day I will be able to buy a pair or two for that very reason. What shoe trends are you loving this season?
For the Fall/Winter 08 season it took some time but I fell in love with statement ankle boots. At first I was against the whole ankle boot trend, don’t really know why, but I was. A pair happened to be on sale at Nine West outlet and I bought a patent leather dark green pointy-toe pair. Totally love them! So I am into the whole ankle boot thing, whether they are peep-toe or pointy toe. And, I love anything platform…pumps, boots, peep-toes. They’re stylish and easier to walk in. What I am not loving…and not necessarily hating, are the weird heel shoes, like the shapes of the heels are getting crazier. For example, what Marc Jacobs is doing (like inverted heels). Does that make sense? Haha.
Favorite shoe store(s)?
OMG. I love love love DSW. I always walk out of there with at least 2 pairs of shoes everytime I go. I also buy my shoes at Bloomingdale’s, Marshalls, Lovemyshoes.com, Bakers, Nine West, Piperlime, Macy’s, Coach, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Zappos, and now you introduced me to www.endless.com, so I can add them to my list.
Are you a heel, flat, or sneaker kind of girl?
Everyone that knows me will say: Heels! I’ve never been the girl into flats and sneakers. Although going to college pushed me into flats at times…I felt demoted, but my feet felt promoted. LoL.
If you could design a new shoe, what would it look like? What would you call your collection?
Oh wow. Never really thought about it. I love shoes that are different and stand-out. I would design a collection of platform evening shoes (pumps, peep-toes, and boots) that would be blinged out with Swarovski crystals on the platform and heel. It would look like you’re walking on diamonds. The collection would be called HeelStones.
I like it! Let me know when you start your line. ;) When did you start your site, and why?
I started Fabaholics Anonymous Blogspot (F.A.Bspot) December 8, 2007. What really started me into blogging was when I finished my internship at Fashion Week Daily. I started working for them Sept. 08 and was writing for Chic Report up until my internship was over in December. I guess I just didn’t want to stop writing and came up with F.A.Bspot to fill the void. In just a year it has really taken off and I am proud of it.
As you should be, it’s a great site. One that I read almost every day! What is your favorite pair of shoes that you own?
Oh wow. I have a couple. But if there was a fire and I could only grab one pair of shoes it would have to be my Emilio Pucci stocking boots. I was not going to leave Neiman Marcus Last Call in Florida without them. They were $200 and I had to have them. I’ve worn them every Fall/Winter season since 2005.
Besides writing about fashion, what else do you enjoy?
While I love writing on F.A.Bspot, and besides shopping, I love being with friends and family, movies, museums, broadway plays, long drives, “me” days when I get my nails done or pedicures, and starting new business ventures (making money is always fun when you’re doing something you love.)
Amen to that. Here’s to your continued success, and thank you for sharing your story!
