susie bubble
Coming to a chippie near you.
Susanna Lau, AKA Susie Bubble, claims on her blog Style Bubble that she takes up creative projects only to leave them half-finished. Evidently her blog itself wasn't one of those projects. Style Bubble is an illuminating diary of the gifted Briton's wardrobe choices and designer discoveries that has maintained an impressive global following, allowing Lau to do what aspiring world-wide fashion bloggers dream of ? ditch her day job. Today, Style Bubble is pretty much a full-time job, though its creator still finds time for other freelance projects on the side ? including acting as Sportsgirl's guest blogger for next week's RAFW. We talked to Susie Bubble about growing out her signature fringe and the non-existent battle between bloggers and magazine editors.
Jacinta Mulders: What other blogs do you follow?
Susanna Lau: I have over 500 blogs on my RSS reader, not all of them fashion? but I suppose the ones I read regularly are fellow British ones like Park and Cube, Style Slicker, Disneyrollergirl and Liberty London Girl, just to see what's going on in London. I like ones like Luxirare, It's Nice That, Jak and Jil, Sight Unseen, Wah Zine and Layers & Swathes for general image-based and design inspiration. For keeping informed about the industry, I like Business of Fashion, Refinery 29, Fashionista, Fashionologie and The Moment.
Where in London do you live?
I live on Holloway Road, a strange patch in between North and East London. It's not a very obvious area as it's not in the thick of Dalston or Hackney (where most London fashion people are concentrated in), but I like the quietness. I like that I'm right by the Emirates Stadium and that I can hear the Arsenal goals before they even come on TV. I like my local coffee shop Le Peche Mignon, which does the best croissants. I like my chippie and I think he likes me too ? he always gives me extra chips.
Who are your favourite Australian designers?
I admire the visions of are the obvious ones such as Dion Lee, Ellery, Josh Goot and Arnsdorf (I'm looking forward to see them all at RAFW), but in general I love wearing a plethora of Australian labels ? Limedrop, Lover, Shakahuchi, Antipodium, P.A.M. ? it's wearability mixed with thematically intriguing design.
You say on your website that your nickname was given to you by your friend in primary school, Sarah Hill. Are you still friends with her? Does she know how influential the name she gave you has become?
Actually, we lost touch ages ago. I barely know any of my friends from primary school. I'm not a huge fan of Facebook, so I haven't bothered to keep up with everyone.
Your fringe has become a bit of a signature. Would you ever grow it out?
Yeah, I would? I've just had it for so long that I don't really know what else to do with it. I'm a bit low maintenance when it comes to my hair?
Can you talk about the best experience you've had through your blog?
Meeting designers and creatives who I have subsequently become super-close friends with.
What about the worst?
The long hours... It can tire you down doing everything yourself ? editing, writing, photographing and sourcing content...
The battle between bloggers and magazine editors has been well documented. How did the industry treat you initially?
Is it a "battle"? I don't perceive it to be that way. I think much of is external, fluffed up commentary and not actually a concrete conflict. I've certainly not experienced any real animosity from the industry, but on a whole the industry is competitive and can be quite cruel in many respects ? whether you're a blogger or not. I was somewhat lucky given that I worked at Dazed & Confused as editor of the website for a bit, so maybe that helped; but I think as a blogger you don't have to interact or clash with the industry unless you really chase it. Depends on your angle I suppose...
How have these attitudes changed since you started?
I suppose there has been an increased feeling of openness towards bloggers and this is evident at fashion week when you see bloggers at shows. I don't think we can bung bloggers all into one category though. The ones that are 'successful' (success is a subjective thing, of course) have effectively transcended their beginnings as bloggers and are part of the industry, taking on different roles.
What allows someone to become an authority on fashion?
Well, I know I'm definitely NOT one. The voices I admire are ones that display a depth of knowledge in the history and business of fashion [along with] a seasoned aesthetician's eye that I think comes with experience and years. People like Cathy Horyn and Suzy Menkes are oft-quoted authority figures, but they're oft-quoted for a reason?
If you weren't blogging, what would you be doing?
FOOD blogging! It's my guilty pleasure, playing the restaurant critic ? I think I spend a good chunk of money on eating out. My food gods are Jay Rayner and Matthew Fort.
Interview: Jacinta Mulders
Words: Hannah Ongley
