Park & Cube is one of the more visually compelling blogs on our radar at the moment, thanks to Shini Park’s unique approach. We’re particularly excited that this little lady, who keeps her loyal readers connected to her day-to-day life through beautiful photography and witty prose, has joined the 1Hundred panel. With only a few hours left to vote, Shini gives us her top tips for budding designers and has even named her favourite designers on LOOKK…

 

 

 

When starting your blog, what were your main aims for its direction and voice? How has this direction altered?

 

In 2008 a lot of fashion blogs were in bloom, but I was a little peeved by the whole buy buy buy culture. So I wanted mine to be a bit more gentle and frugal, but I’m the kind of person who eats out with the electricity bill money so that’d be wrong. I’d decided to do a lot of DIY projects that might help people to re-explore what they had in their wardrobe and simply have fun doing so. The blog progressed, mostly due to the fact that I started working and had no more time to do DIY, to very photography-heavy content with a lot of lifestyle topics instead of just fashion.

 

As you’re not from a fashion background, how did you end up immersed in the world of fashion?

 

I hadn’t planned on it by all means, but I guess I followed the blog down the (treacherous? I’m yet to find out) yellow brick road and ended up meeting a lot of people I wouldn’t have met and being involved with amazing projects.

 

Was it what you’d initially imagined it to be? Is there anything you’d change about the industry? I know you voiced your opinion about                   attitudes towards bloggers, for example?

 

I still don’t really consider myself to be ‘in’ the industry, not as a blogger at least. My own blog goes about my life, if I have a child it’ll most likely turn into a mummy blog, if I suddenly gain interest in cooking (which is, highly unlikely), then it might turn into a cookery blog. But I am wary of the fact that the fashion industry is trying to pinpoint the whole blogging phenomenon, and while in some places they’re getting it right (Italy, France…), in a lot of places bloggers are still considered sub-media, which is something that really should be revised. Because however personal and non-professional a blog may look, at the end of the day it’s that trait that attracts people, and that’s a very new type of influence that shouldn’t be shut out and categorized.

 

With the growing number of blogs cropping up, how do you ensure Park&Cube stays unique and true to your original ideas?

 

I might not be doing as many DIY tutorials as the beginning but I stick to my own little rules of always having bespoke content, having no advertisement, and always giving honest opinions that hopefully will keep the blog’s integrity intact. Consistency (in posting and in style) is also really important, I find.

 

Obviously your blog is visually engaging and it’s evident you have your own style and way of doing things – but how has your signature style                   developed?

 

Believe it or not, having a blog means you wander off your ‘signature style’ if you had one in the first place – I love that it’s an organic growth though, you respond to your user’s needs and preferences. The only clear development would be that it became much more photography-heavy.

 

I love the witty tone you’ve developed in your blog posts; it’s truly unique. Some of our favourite quotes:

 

“WOMAN YOU HAVE TOO MANY SHOES AT HOME.”

“Anyway, these Opening Ceremony boots put me back in that familiar airspace,   one where you can sniff the nearest bakery before the rest of the herd can.”

“Did I just compare invaluable childbirth to walking on hooves?”

 

How have people responded to your distinctive voice?

 

Thank you! A lot of people actually don’t read the copy, I find – which is normal with fashion blogs, and especially one that has so many images – but I don’t think I made a conscious decision to keep it humorous. If anything, it’s probably easier to read, digest and connect with, for the readers.

 

How do you find out about some of the content you talk about on your website?

 

Most of the time I approach people/places that I genuinely love and have an interest in, but many other times there are brands and PRs that offer opportunities. The latter is definitely the easier option to get content, but even so, I like to take creative reign and make the content truly mine before it gets published.

 

You are obviously an avid shopper, so what are your views on the opportunities out there for emerging design talent? Do you think there is a           lack of outlets for new designers to sell their products?

 

Most definitely, but I feel like there’s less online presence for people to get to know about the designers before entrusting their money to purchase. It’d also be perfect if I could go to a physical store and try things on…

 

Who are your favourite designers on LOOKK?

 

 

Yasmin Bawa, El Colmillo de Morsa, Mark Goldenberg & Studio Sober.

 

Is there anything you look for in particular, when discovering new creative talent?

 

I love when a designer shows curiosity in concepts and merge different schools of thoughts (biology + architecture for example) into their collection. I guess I’m always on the lookout for someone who is curious about the world, not just the saleability and wearability of clothes.

 

What advice would you give to new designers and design students looking to get their first big break in the industry?

 

Be ruthless when there’s an opportunity, but always humble. And always prepare to start low because that’s the way to learn the most! Clever use of digital media is really key these days – devise social media strategies, make friends with bloggers (not just saying this just because I’m a blogger), and work towards having a good online presence.

 

What kind of things will you be looking for as part of the 1Hundred judging panel?

 

Probably creative direction of the entire collection – especially how it’d be presented to a third party, e.g. a PR, journalist or blogger.

 

Vote now for your favourite designers so you can be sure they’ll be in the final 1Hundred list come tomorrow morning.

 

Check out Park & Cube here.

 

 

 

Tags: 1Hundred Competition, El Colmillio de Morsa, Mark Goldenberg, Park and Cube, Shini Park, Studio Sober, Yasmin Bawa