My blog brought me to Florence, New York and the Amsterdam fashion scene. I’ve been to Paris and I’ve been to New York Fashion Week in February. All these cities are not only influenced by trends, but also by their location, history and traditions. Only Parisian women can wear the Parisian look as chique as they do; in New York you really have to make an effort to stand out; in Florence everything is perfect up to the smallest details. Amsterdam is characterized by its tolerance and laid back attitude. “Just act normal, that’s crazy enough as it is.” The Dutch are always afraid of being overdressed, they don’t want to make an effort every day. In New York you have to pay attention to the way you look, as that is a big part of your coolness and identity. In Paris and Florence it’s normal to be dressed properly all the time. In Holland women still think it’s okay to attend a premiere party wearing jeans. Taste is not only what you wear, but also about knowing when to wear what. If there’s a dress code, keep to it – it’s there for a reason and you don’t want to be remembered as the only person who didn’t follow the dress code.
Fashion is experienced differently in every fashion capital, and although Paris will always be the center of haute couture, it and other fashion capitals are changing. Cities like Amsterdam and Stockholm are having an increased influence in the fashion scene. In New York designers come and go and nothing moves as fast as the fashion industry; in Paris the more classic shows are the best to attend. Stockholm shows its Scandinavian simplicity and Swedish people are gifted with the talent to dress according to the latest fashion, without looking like they’ve spent hours on choosing their outfits. I think that’s why fashion bloggers became popular; they know and are aware of what they can wear.

Taste is personal and what it is exactly is hard to describe. I have always loved fashion, had a very distinctive style. Through the years I’ve created my current style, minimalist and inspired by Scandinavian fashion. My fashion taste always influences my preferred home interior style (also Scandinavian), and the countries I’d like to visit (known for good food, stylish home interiors and street wear).
Taste develops through the years. When you’re a baby you are timid, you only like milk. When growing up, you discover you don’t like certain vegetables, colors or shapes. Being aware of that process and adapting it, is the base of your personal style. Pick out what fits you, it’s impossible to wear only trendy items. Some things don’t suit you because of your figure, your skin or hair color. If you know how to use trends to point out your strengths, I think you have taste. Awareness is crucial.

The Sartorialist
The Selby
Mr Porter
Your Daily Lifeguide

Age and geo-location are the biggest influences on taste in my opinion. Until the age of 8, children are dressed by their parents. They don’t know their child’s taste and don’t accept that the child already has its own taste. Where you live, and the climate you live in, can also influence your taste. Taste influences your degree of comfort. When you wear a short skirt because your boyfriend wants you to, you can’t be you. The scene you grew up in is also important. Every scene has its own clothing style, coming from traditions, religion, norms and values. Some scenes feel like they have the exclusive right to wear pearl earrings or certain brands. Some scenes even claim certain brands to express themselves. Wearing the ‘right’ brands makes people feel accepted in their society. Society always has influence on ‘what (not) to wear’.

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Visual life where talent and technique represent taste.

I I have been blogging for about 5 years. In November 2009 I started my Afterdrk blog, fully focused on fashion, posts of my outfits and personal hot spots. It was perfect timing, as I was one of the first Dutch fashion bloggers. The number of daily visitors started increasing and people were actually waiting for new outfit posts. That’s when I realized what I wear influences others, my taste influences the people who read my blog. My blog became my job. I can write about things I like or dislike, I influence people’s taste by telling them about the latest trends in fashion, wearing a trendy outfit and making them want it. The readers use my taste and combine it with theirs. Fashion means creativity: look at it, make it yours and create something that is yours. Almost like an art, putting the right pieces together.

Street style is becoming more and more important in the fashion scene. It’s not only about the designers’ creations anymore; what people are wearing on the street influences the designers and their collections. It’s like there’s been a huge change in the way designers are being inspired. Their inspiration used to be music, politics, movies, people like Madonna, Jackie Kennedy and Sofia Coppola, but now it’s more about reality and what happens with regular people. Street style photographers are everywhere, looking for new scoops and trends that could become the next hit. Tavi Gevninson and Bryanboy, for example, wear an extreme look at big events but also make sure to have an extravagant or obvious own style when spotted on the streets.
I’m very curious about the future of fashion bloggers and street style photographers. Will this be a long-term influence or is it just hype? And if it’s hype, how big will its influence be? The fashion scene is a strange and difficult world. If you’re looking at the established designers, you see a lot of struggle in their personal lives. You have to be inspired, but after 4 collections, inspiration can be hard to find.

On my blog I’m very open about my favorites. I share my favorite brands, pieces, shoes, hot spots and shops. I hope that inspires others to become more fashionable or at least more aware of fashion.
My favorite brands are Acne, Celine, COS and Avelon. They are sophisticated, simple but also luxurious because of the materials. And you can easily combine them with more affordable items. Fashion is my affordable luxury – although I like to hang out in pajamas after Fashion Week. That’s a little overkill.
My favorite blogs are:
4th and Bleeker
Style by Kling
Jak & Jil
My favorite hotspots in Paris, New York, Florence and Amsterdam are:
SPRMRKT (Amsterdam)
Acne (Amsterdam)
Rika (Amsterdam)
LuisaViaRoma (Florence)
Roundabout (New York)
Colette (Paris)

23 years old and living in Amsterdam. Working for her blog Afterdrk and NU.nl/lifestyle. Her passion for fashion and her outfit posts made her a welcomed guest at important fashion events all over the world.