Spunky style blogger, Blake Von D, showcases her unique, artistic flavor on her site BlakeVonD.com. Her interesting combinations of pieces from cool and funky to super chic have earned her features at Glamour.com, The Budget Fashionista, Essence.com, Refinery29 and Fashion Bomb Daily. Currently a full time law student, as well as blogger, she is a daily reminder of your right to be both smart and stylish. And she has a strong desire to empower women and to effect change in communities like the one in which she grew up, to boot.
We caught up with Blake to find out what influences her personal style, what she recommends every woman keep on deck in her closet, and (of course) what is in her Ultimate Beauty Arsenal. Read on for more.
In 3-5 sentences tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
Hi! I'm a 26-year-old, full-time law student and style blogger. Originally from Georgia, I currently live in New Orleans where I attend law school, but I'm a New Yorker at heart! I plan to return to the city upon graduation--with the hopes of opening my own brand management boutique firm.
Your blog serves as a point of style inspiration for other women—but what influences your personal style the most?
I get inspiration from a lot places. Celebs, art, buildings, you name it. I truly believe that EVERYTHING has artistic value and sometimes just the paint scheme of a building will give me an idea for a color palette for an outfit.
How has your style changed from Georgia, to New York, to New Orleans—three places with three very different fashion personalities
I grew up in and attended college in Georgia. So it's the place where I came of age and spent a lot of time just trying on different personas and styles. My style wasn't really cohesive (or even my own for that matter). It was just a melting pot of trials and lots of errors. lol. New York City refined and, in a lot of ways, validated my personal style. I didn't have to try to make it fit into a neat little box anymore. I had a lot more freedom to just "be." So it really gave me the space to find my own voice... in every aspect of my life. New Orleans doesn't really influence my style much. Partly because fashion doesn't really have a strong foothold here and partly because being a full time law student means I don't get to see much of the city and its people.
What three items should be in every woman's closet and why?
What 3 products are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal—those beauty items you just cannot live without?
Do you have an everyday skincare and beauty routine? If yes, please walk us through it.
I use the Rx for Brown Skin skincare line. I start each morning by washing my face with their facial cleanser and then apply the rest of the line. (It's a 4 product process.) I follow that process up with a facial moisturizer and a (separate) skin brightener from AMBI. The whole step-by-step process and product details can be found here.
What inspired you to go to Law school?
I decided to go to law school because I wanted to effect changes in the lives of those who need it most; people who are from the communities that I grew up in and who feel disenfranchised and disempowered by the system around them. I've seen WHAT that change looks like for me and how I plan to go about it. But the drive has always been the same--to leave the world and the people I come in contact with better and feeling more empowered.
What advice would you offer other women who are considering the idea of going after their dreams, but are afraid to take the leap?
JUMP! It's terrifying and takes a lot of guts. But the only thing scarier than going after your dreams is staying where you are. Put the appropriate support system around you, equip yourself with as many tools to succeed as you can...and then JUMP! It's the only way to actually know if you can fly. And flying is the only way to make it to the top.
What has been your proudest blogging achievement to date?
Oh, there have been so many proud moments. I've been blogging for over 5 years and I've been fortunate enough to have had some really amazing opportunities. And they've all been special to me in one way or another: The first time I received a feature on a major publication; My first major collaboration; My first sponsorship; My first "Thank you so much for inspiring me" email. They have all been moments that I'm a better person for having experienced.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us—what’s next for Blake Von D?
Right now I'm just trying to be better at my job as a blogger. I have a couple of things that I'd like to do in the future--write a book, finally get my line off the ground, etc.--and those things will happen. But right now, I want to be the best blogger I can be so that when the time comes for me to make the jump, I'll be ready.
More about Blake:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
We caught up with Blake to find out what influences her personal style, what she recommends every woman keep on deck in her closet, and (of course) what is in her Ultimate Beauty Arsenal. Read on for more.
In 3-5 sentences tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
Hi! I'm a 26-year-old, full-time law student and style blogger. Originally from Georgia, I currently live in New Orleans where I attend law school, but I'm a New Yorker at heart! I plan to return to the city upon graduation--with the hopes of opening my own brand management boutique firm.
Your blog serves as a point of style inspiration for other women—but what influences your personal style the most?
I get inspiration from a lot places. Celebs, art, buildings, you name it. I truly believe that EVERYTHING has artistic value and sometimes just the paint scheme of a building will give me an idea for a color palette for an outfit.
How has your style changed from Georgia, to New York, to New Orleans—three places with three very different fashion personalities
I grew up in and attended college in Georgia. So it's the place where I came of age and spent a lot of time just trying on different personas and styles. My style wasn't really cohesive (or even my own for that matter). It was just a melting pot of trials and lots of errors. lol. New York City refined and, in a lot of ways, validated my personal style. I didn't have to try to make it fit into a neat little box anymore. I had a lot more freedom to just "be." So it really gave me the space to find my own voice... in every aspect of my life. New Orleans doesn't really influence my style much. Partly because fashion doesn't really have a strong foothold here and partly because being a full time law student means I don't get to see much of the city and its people.
What three items should be in every woman's closet and why?
- A quality tailored blazer. It's such a versatile piece and gives you lots of pairing options. You can use it to dress a look up or down. But quality is key!
- The perfect Little Black Dress. Dinner date? You're covered. Wedding? You're covered. Night out w/ the girls? You're covered!
- A pair of heels that makes you feel like Superwoman. Simple: "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”
What 3 products are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal—those beauty items you just cannot live without?
Rx for Brown Skin (4-piece product line)- Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Conditioner
- A great nude polish
Do you have an everyday skincare and beauty routine? If yes, please walk us through it.
I use the Rx for Brown Skin skincare line. I start each morning by washing my face with their facial cleanser and then apply the rest of the line. (It's a 4 product process.) I follow that process up with a facial moisturizer and a (separate) skin brightener from AMBI. The whole step-by-step process and product details can be found here.
What inspired you to go to Law school?
I decided to go to law school because I wanted to effect changes in the lives of those who need it most; people who are from the communities that I grew up in and who feel disenfranchised and disempowered by the system around them. I've seen WHAT that change looks like for me and how I plan to go about it. But the drive has always been the same--to leave the world and the people I come in contact with better and feeling more empowered.
What advice would you offer other women who are considering the idea of going after their dreams, but are afraid to take the leap?
JUMP! It's terrifying and takes a lot of guts. But the only thing scarier than going after your dreams is staying where you are. Put the appropriate support system around you, equip yourself with as many tools to succeed as you can...and then JUMP! It's the only way to actually know if you can fly. And flying is the only way to make it to the top.
What has been your proudest blogging achievement to date?
Oh, there have been so many proud moments. I've been blogging for over 5 years and I've been fortunate enough to have had some really amazing opportunities. And they've all been special to me in one way or another: The first time I received a feature on a major publication; My first major collaboration; My first sponsorship; My first "Thank you so much for inspiring me" email. They have all been moments that I'm a better person for having experienced.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us—what’s next for Blake Von D?
Right now I'm just trying to be better at my job as a blogger. I have a couple of things that I'd like to do in the future--write a book, finally get my line off the ground, etc.--and those things will happen. But right now, I want to be the best blogger I can be so that when the time comes for me to make the jump, I'll be ready.
More about Blake:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram