When Barneys asked Emily Johnston what she loves most about fashion, her response was simple: “I love that fashion allows you to tell a story about yourself to the world every day.” And that’s exactly what her artfully curated blog, Fashion Foie Gras, offers.
Since it was founded in 2009, FFG has quickly grown into an impressive amalgamation of celeb snapshots, curated ad campaigns, runway reports and of course, Emily’s recurring signature post, the outfit du jour.
In between blogging and regularly contributing to Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine UK and Stylist Magazine, the style sensation took the time out of her busy schedule to speak with us. Check out what the London-based fashion maven had to say about the top five fashion rules every girl should live by.
Barneys New York: What inspired you to start your blog?
Emily Johnston: I found I was checking ten different sites a day to get a complete picture of what was happening in the fashion world. I wanted to create a site where fashion news was delivered in a voice that would make people more excited about fashion, instead of making them feel like it was an elite club. It has also become a place where I can express my own personal style and share the brands and people I truly adore.
BNY: How would you describe your personal style?
EJ: I love my American sportswear. I may live in London now, but I love supporting my American fashion obsession abroad.
BNY: Who is your fashion crush?
EJ: If we’re talking in the spotlight, I would say Blake Lively, on and off the set of Gossip Girl! But my all-time fashion crush is Carolyn Bessette. This was a woman who was so effortlessly chic, and I will always associate her with New York style.
BNY: What do you love most about fashion?
EJ: I love that fashion allows you to tell a story about yourself to the world every day without having to say one word. It’s all in the clothes you wear. You are sending out a hundred different messages as soon as you step out the door every morning. I also love that no one is exempt from fashion. We all have to wear clothes (minus the random nudist colonies) and that means we’re all playing the same game. You, as an individual, are making the decision to dress in a certain manner.
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Five Fashion Rules Every Girl Should Live By
1. Always pack a white t-shirt. This is as basic as basic gets, but it can easily be jazzed up for any occasion by pairing it with a bright skirt or statement necklace.
2. Invest in a great pair of jeans. Owning a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly will change your life!
3. Don’t be afraid to play with color. For years I thought that black was the answer to all my fashion dilemmas. Little did I know, I spent a decade looking like I was attending a funeral. Colors are attention grabbers and they scream confidence!
4. Always wear what fits, no matter what the label says. Make sure you buy something that fits. There’s nothing worse than an ill-fitting garment, whether too big or too small. Clothes that fit well speak volumes.
5. Wear heels whenever possible (I can’t believe I’m saying this given that I’m 6’2″ in flats). Heels make every single woman look incredible. You also stand more upright, and let’s face it, you give off an incredible air of confidence when you have heels on. Just one tip: make sure you know how to walk in them! Vacuum your house in your heels or practice cat walking down your front hall. Do it until it feels right!
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BNY: What is the fashion capital of the world?
EJ: London truly has become the fashion capital of the world of late because there is such an incredible freedom in this city. There are absolutely no rules when it comes to fashion, so people are always testing the boundaries of what’s chic or what’s acceptable. The end result is amazing to witness. You can sit on a busy street in London and feel like you’re watching [a catwalk]. One person doesn’t judge another for what they’re wearing. We just take it all in and find what works best for the individual. It’s a wonderful birthplace for new trends!
BNY: If you were accidentally locked in Barneys overnight, what would we find you with/wearing in the morning?
1. Nili Lotan slim turtleneck 2. L’Wren Scott high waisted skirt 3. Maison Martin Margiela goat hair vest 4. Giambattista Valli leopard lace-up mid boot 5. Balenciaga Papier A4 tote
BNY: What are your major style influences?
EJ: The places I see and visit around the world are continually influencing my style. I snap pictures of everything, from the way a belt is looped to a new color combination that I love. So it’s everyday people that are my biggest influence.
BNY: Which fall trends are you most excited to style?
EJ: I was very excited to see fur on nearly every catwalk for A/W 2011. This is one trend I’ve always embraced come colder months. A fur gillet or shearling coat can instantly transform any outfit. Leather is also a big follow for me. Anything with a Rick Owens or Helmut Lang tag in it leaves me weak in the knees. Leather and fur really do make a huge statement and when played with together…oh me, oh my!
- Alisha Prakash
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