the sartorialist's scott schuman

An interesting thing happened after I interviewed The Sartorialist's Scott Schuman - via phone to New York (so very old school). I was telling Jacqui Lewis about it and she relayed this story: a friend of hers was shot by Scott when he was in Sydney. The young girl was only 15 but had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemo so had little hair and was wearing a beanie. After the image was posted many people commented on how gorgeous she looked. "It really made her strong and believe that she could get through this and not every single person looking at her thought she had cancer," Jacqui said.

It's amazing how such a simple thing as being photographed can make all the difference to not only the subject, but can help broaden people's acceptance of what is beautiful too. It's telling that the image chosen on the cover of Scott's book is of a woman who has one leg shorter than the other. It was a deliberate decision to use this photo because he wants the definition of beauty to be more all encompassing. This is why Scott and his blog are not just great - but inspiring.

Which five words best describe you? Driven, curious, artistic, generous and selfish.
What was your first job and what path have you taken since then? Working at a clothing stall at the mall, and I’ve taken a curvy line to where I am now but it’s always been to do with fashion.
What’s your proudest achievement? Making a good community on The Sartorialist where people feel they can communicate and share their thoughts without being ridiculed or made fun of and we are able to have participation on the site from a lot of different types of people.
What’s been your best decision? Just to go for it and trust myself that I was going to become a better photographer and to learn how to shoot things the way that I saw them romantically.
Who inspires you? My girlfriend Garance Doré inspires me. She’s great at writing, great at photography, great at illustrating, but she doesn’t take any of that for granted and she always constantly pushes herself to get better.
What are you passionate about? Continuing to have a relevant blog that inspires people.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Probably to remain calm… when things are going crazy, to remain calm.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I don’t know. I don’t really have anyone like that. I’ve met most of the people that I wanted to meet. If anything, what helps me do what I do, and I talk about it in the book, is if anything to keep a distance from those people so that I can continue to see them in a romantic way, no one ever lives up to your expectations so it’s safer to keep a little distance.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I want to get better. I want to capitalise on all the different things that I’m good at. I want to write better. I want to shoot better. I want to communicate better.
What are you reading? I just bought of autobiography on Lord Snowdon, the photographer.


images courtesy of the sartorialist and penguin

table tonic's louise bell

Some people blaze onto the blogging scene, and one of the most recent stars is Louise Bell from Table Tonic. Not only has her site gained many fans in a short amount of time but she's also managed to launch an online homewares store selling beautiful imported fabrics and bedlinen. Think Mexican suzanis and ikat designs. Louise used to be creative director at ACP Magazine's Cosmopolitan and Cleo.

Which five words best describe you? Organised, pragmatic, resourceful, visual, efficient.
What was your first career job and what path have you taken since? I was a junior designer at Cosmopolitan magazine, and only recently left the publishing industry as Creative Director of Cosmo, a marriage and 2 children later. I have since reignited the frustrated stylist in me and started Table Tonic, an interiors blog, as well as a Table Tonic online homewares store.
What's the best lesson you've learnt along the way? Politeness and persistence is a killer combination - one that will get you anywhere!
What's your proudest career achievement? Being nominated for (graphic) Designer of the Year at the Magazine Publishers of Australia awards (and subsequently being invited back twice as a judge).
What's been your best decision? Going against the flow, taking the plunge and starting my own business feels so right. And at risk of sounding modest, I've surprised myself. Definitely the best decision I've made so far.
Who inspires you? People who exhibit one or several admirable traits: honesty, passion, kindness, patience... And people who are "living the dream", doing what they adore, every day.
What are you passionate about? Quality, beauty and natural materials - everyday objects that not only stand the test of time, but get better with age. Oh, and good food.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I'd love to have had an opportunity to have a grown up conversation with each or any of my grandparents. I lost all 4 of them when I was still quite young.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To live in a foreign country. Like most people, I think a stint in Paris holds stacks of appeal.
What are you reading? Sia Furler's Tweets, The Business Bakery's "Daily Juice" blog archives, and book-wise, I just finished Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello. It was pure escapism, but also incredibly insightful, being based on a true story. I think I read it in 48 hours.
 
images courtesy of table tonic

home inspiration... olivier dupon

The world is full of some beautiful souls, and it surely seems that Olivier Dupon from Dossier37 is one of them. He is known to many Sydneysiders for his gorgeous shop Lola Et Moi, which he ran for about three years, and now the rest of the world is getting to know his quirky, colourful and inspired ways through his blog Dossier37. Olivier kindly shared these pics with Daily Imprint of his home in Pyrmont. As he describes it, "Great views, great light... We use the flat as a white blank canvas for our collections of antique and modern artworks and designer pieces."


Which five words best describe you? Perseverance, reliability, compassion, flair, hard work.
What was your first job and what path have you taken since then? I worked for Christian Dior as a production assistant (in the ready-to-wear department). This led to another contract as senior production assistant. From then, I expanded my experience by working for the extreme opposite of luxury fashion, that is mass market fashion. I spent about 6 years as a fashion buyer for a big French retailer. I then moved to London for 4 years as a product manager for a fashion house. I then relocated to Australia, and this big move was a trigger for my current career. I decided to open my own shop [Lola Et Moi] and to work closely with independent designers. Back to the hand-made, unique and creative scene, which is my true passion.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Opening a successful shop on my own, out of no experience in this particular field, in a foreign country.
What’s been your best decision? Pursuing the person, who has now been making me happy for the past 6 years.
Who inspires you? Whistleblowers and scientists (not the sceptic ones).
What are you passionate about? Common sense, environmental issues and creativity.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Patience is a virtue.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Any billionaire that has no idea how he can make a positive difference in this world.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I will have to get back to you in 5 years' time for that one.
What are you reading? La Délicatesse by David Foenkinos. A french fiction novel (a quirky love story) and probably one of the best books I have read.

images courtesy of dossier37