Barcelona style bloggers
In a fast-changing industry, fashion blogs are a dynamic way for fashionistas, both professionals and amateurs, to keep up with the pace. Nicola Reid identifies four fashion blogs which use Barcelona as a platform for their online fashion chronicles.
BARCELONA BRUNETTES
“Made by two girls from Barcelona in love with life and fashion”
This brunette duo have been friends since school, but their fashion blog adventure started in summer 2010. In the beginning, they didn’t take it too seriously, saying “it was more like a game for us.” More than a year later, they now take time out of their careers as a pharmacist (Núria, 24) and an architect (Cristina, 24) to work on the bilingual blog. It has become a platform that enables the women to express their passion for the fashion world, chronicling the outfits they love and want, as well as offering practical advice such as make-up tips and DIY fashion. They’re well-connected to the fashion scene in Barcelona, attending regular events and parties, which they review online. The women want to continue exploring fashion blogging and have started thinking about the future of what originally started out as a bit of fun between two friends. Whatever the future has in store for ‘Barcelona Brunettes’, it has already become much more than just a fashion blog.
barcelonabrunettes.blogspot.com
FASHION VIBE
“For me, fashion is my drug”
Brand manager and photographer Zina Charkoplia freely confesses her obsession with fashion. Her blog is mainly devoted to photographs taken by her boyfriend of her different looks and styles. Beneath each photo, she notes where each item she is wearing is from, often mixing designer with high street and vintage to create a particular look. Zina’s captive audience has made her an attractive model for fashion brands; so clothes labels often now send her pieces, she poses for a few photographs, then plugs the name of the brand on her blog. Zina was born in Greece, but has lived in Barcelona for six years and is constantly travelling to the many fashion events she is invited to all over the world. Her hard work and dedication to the blog is internationally recognised, and she’s been snapped by style photographers and gossiped about as an upcoming fashion guru.
ME/ELLE/YOU
“Photos taken by me, of you lovely, stylish people of the world”
Miyelle Karmi is a street style photographer who recently spent eight “blissful” months in Barcelona. In October 2011, Miyelle was inspired to meander through Barcelona’s streets, “snapping the beautiful people of this ridiculously charming city” and she then launched her fashion blog. She adores Barcelona—“to say I’m a little in love with the place is an understatement”—but, nevertheless, the time came for her to pack up her belongings. As well as working freelance for Vogue.es, styleko.com and H Magazine, Miyelle travels the world, using different cities as platforms for her style photography, which she documents on her blog. Each city serves as a backdrop, and each individual she photographs offers a unique and original style.
BARCELONETTE
“I wouldn’t change my city, Barcelona, for anything”
Xenia Alonso started her Spanish-language fashion blog in June 2006, as a means to discover the fashion world, trends, style and lifestyle in Barcelona. Now, ‘Barcelonette’ is a trademark, a tribute to the inspirational surroundings of Barcelona and a voice for the female fashion community of the city. Xenia works freelance in digital marketing and communications and as a specialised translator in scientific and technical texts, but says she is also a devoted full-time fashion blogger.