Welcome to our new interview series “LadyM Connects”. Last week we commenced the series with an insight into the life of Polo in the Park’s Louisa Dawnay and every Thursday we will bring to you a fabulous person we have connected with in the world of fashion, beauty and lifestyle.
LadyM Connects with Olivia Purvis, Fashion Blogger
This week fashion blogger and beautiful lady Olivia Purvis of www.whatoliviadid.com. Olivia is living the dream in her gap year, interning, writing and working in her favourite shop. We caught up with her to learn more about her life.
Q. When did you first start working in the fashion industry/blogging world?
A. I started blogging about two years ago, with my blog being a music blog, and only in the last couple of years have I begun interning my way into the big wide world of fashion and started blogging more about style and fashion- eek!
Q .Where do you get your inspiration for what you will feature on www.whatoliviadid.com
A. It comes literally from everywhere! From spotting a girl in the street in something really cool, to reading the latest Grazia, cooking something I love or just going for dinner somewhere really tasty- it could come from anywhere. I’m also trying to include more music based content on my blog, as I’m always at gigs so even band style inspires me!
Q. What is a typical working day for you?
A. At present I’m currently interning and juggling my blog, so it could include heading to the office to a mountain of fashion returns and later returning home and blogging, or spending the day mulling through emails, scheduling posts, visiting press days or snapping some outfits for the blog!
Q. What do you love the most about working blogging, styling, interning in the fashion industry?
A. It’s definitely got to be all of the amazing people you meet! I’ve met some truly ambitious, inspiring and admirable people through both blogging and interning, and I am so so fortunate for the chance to mix with such people.
Q. Where are you based, how much of an inspiration is your city and what are your favourite cities around the world?
A. I’m based just outside of London. London is one of the most incredible cities in the world, and has such an amazing buzz and atmosphere about it, and the style is without a doubt (in my opinion) the best and most unique in the world! Having also visited Paris, New York and Venice- they’re definitely some of my favourites too! I’m such a culture vulture…
Q. How would you sum up what you do in one sentence?
A. I’d say I’m a fashion and lifestyle blogger, interning her way into the world of fashion, with dreams of being a fashion writer and stylist!
Q. Where would you like your blog to take you?
A. It’s already taken me beyond my wildest dreams! Having won an award through it, and interviewed some amazing people I don’t think I could ask for anything else! Anything from here is a bonus in my eyes.
Q. Have you seen the fashion industry or change in the last few years, have you had to adapt?
A. Having only begun fashion blogging and working in the industry in the past two years it’s been hard to identify any drastic changes, obviously with the recession and working in retail you do notice a drop in footfall, but in terms of blogging nothing really. With events like fashion week there has been a greater focus on the role bloggers play, and year-by-year that’s always interesting to see.
Q. What’s the most rewarding part of your work? What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
A. Knowing people read and enjoy my blog is a massive reward! Just getting comments and tweets saying someone enjoyed my post is amazing, and I couldn’t ask for readers any lovelier! My greatest accomplishment is probably winning the Cosmo Blog Award for ‘Best New Fashion Blog’ last year, I couldn’t and still can’t believe it!
Q. What is next for What Olivia Did/Olivia Purvis? What are your goals for 2012/13?
A. To continue writing about what I love and interning, and with a little luck finding a secure job!
Bonus Question
If you didn’t do the job you do now – what would be your dream job and where?
At one of my favourite fashion magazines, either styling, or writing features and interviews!
You can follow Olivia on Twitter @livpurvis
