Loh Wei Yeen interviews stylish blogger and budding entrepeneur Bao Qi

Fashion blogs nowadays are used as pedestals to inspire and to stand out, with bloggers posting up individualistic snapshots of what they are wearing, even listing down the brands of their clothes and accessories.

As most bloggers are different in their own quintessential way, the fashion community highly regards such blogs as important platforms for trendsetting. Examples of international style blogger and retailer collaborations are Rumi Neely from fashiontoast.com as the face for Forever 21 last year, seaofshoes.com's Jane Aldridge shoe designs for Urban Outfitters and recently, Swedish retail giant H&M releasing a line designed by popular blogger, Elin Kling (elinkling.net).

In Malaysia however, there is only a handful of stylish bloggers who are gutsy and experimental when it comes to fashion. One of the many fashion bloggers Malaysian Today came across was Bao Qi from baoqier.blogspot.com, who turns 23 this year and is already a full-time online boutique owner (www.seventeenorigins.com). Bao Qi's blog is a combination of stylish snapshots and details of her personal life. Malaysian Today recently interviewed the fashionable young graduate through email regarding her website:

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you this year? Are you still studying?

I'm turning 23 this year. I'm a fresh graduate but now I am a full-time online store owner. 

What made you start a fashion blog?

I do not consider it as a fashion blog, but more a place for me to share bits and pieces of my life with readers such as nights out with my friends, outfits that I've worn or new items that I've acquired.

When did you start your blog?

If I am not mistaken, it was around June 2009.

Where do you usually get your clothes and accessories from? Are they from your favourite brands or random shops?

When I was staying in KL back then, I'd normally shop around at retail chain stores such as Topshop and Forever 21. Now that I've moved back to my hometown Kuching and started an online boutique, most of my clothes are from my store or are self-designed. I'm deeply obsessed with high heels that are 12cm and above. Shoe stores that I would highly recommend for really gorgeous heels are Steve Madden, Aldo, Nine West and even our local brand Nose.

Who inspires you?

I usually get my inspiration from street snapshots, magazines, movies, or random people on the streets.

Are there other fashion bloggers you look up to?

Yes there is a fashion blogger whom I truly admire when it comes to style. She is Andy from Style Scrapbook (www.stylescrapbook.com). Go check her out and I'm sure you'll be amazed!

Do you like following trends? If you do, what trend are you currently into?

I do, but it still depends on the possibility and practicability of the particular trend. Currently I am in love with all kinds of maxi skirts, from knee-length to floor-length ones. Another reason why I love maxi skirts is because I haven't seen anyone wearing it here in Kuching so I'm gonna wear it before the trend gets more popular. I love being unique and different from the crowd *laughs*.
 

What is your all-time favorite go-to look?

I get tired of a particular look easily actually. I don't have any favourite looks that I will wear over  and over again but for accessories, yeah I always incline towards high heels and bags with longer straps.

Are you used to the attention people give you whenever you wear something that stands out?

I wasn't feeling comfortable at first when I began dressing up. The attention made me feel as if my clothes were torn or I had three heads! I still get some weird looks from strangers every now and then but I have learnt to be more carefree and confident in whatever I'm wearing or doing.

With three words, describe your style.

It's hard to describe my style as I don't stick to the same style for long. But whatever I put on, it has got to be comfortable, well-fitted and suitable for the occasion.