Following up our last interview with Alexandra Neto from Xanalicious blog, this week we chose Barbara Marques from My Kind of Joy blog to answer questions related to fashion, trends, work and dreams. Bárbara holds a degree in Law and conciliates her work as a jurist with her personal blog, where she posts several original looks weekly. She shows us how fun it can be to combine unique (and affordable) clothes and accessories without fear and talks about subjects related to her personal and professional life, which creates a lot of interaction and bonds with her followers. Aside from being a great role model when it comes to fashion, Barbara is a sincere person and she’s not afraid of taboos. Unlike many international bloggers who seem to live in a magical and inaccessible world, she shows us that it’s possible to be a "normal" person and have a lot of style at the same time.
Nowadays, fashion brands launch new products in a weekly basis (fast-fashion). Is it important to you to choose products that you know will last longer than trends?
Yes and no. It is really important for me to choose some things that I know that I’ll keep forever, that are timeless, but I also like having more trendy stuff, even if I don’t like them that much anymore on the following year. I keep some of these things (more than I should), some I sell and some I donate.
What makes a piece of clothing or an accessory timeless for you?
For me, a timeless piece has to be of good quality, minimal, versatile, and in a neutral color.
What piece of clothing or accessory have you been wearing the longest?
Maybe an oversized black blazer that I’ve had for many years. I can’t get enough of it.
What is the best fashion advice you can give to your followers?
This may sound cliché, but I really believe in it: the most important thing is that we like what we are wearing. Even if it’s not the most amazing look in other people’s opinion, what matters is that we like it. It's halfway to feeling confident.
Nix Red photographed by Bárbara Marques
In your opinion, how can one create a unique style, an identity, a way of dressing?
Being faithful to ourselves and not using something with which we do not identify ourselves with, just because it’s a trend.
How do you characterize your style?
I think I can characterize it as unpredictable. I can’t say that my style is "this" or "that". It depends a lot on my state of mind.
Who was the person that you most enjoyed meeting with?
Honestly, I do not have a good answer to this question. My favorite people are the members of my closest family, where I also include my boyfriend. They are the people with whom I’ve learned almost everything I know and made me be who I am today. The blog has also brought me a lot of new and long lasting friendships.
Who is your biggest reference in the fashion world (blogger, celebrity, model, designer ...)?
Honestly... I don’t have one. :) I really like to peek and discover new blogs, but that's it!
What motivated you to create a blog?
I had just graduated from law school and started working, at the same time I felt that my world was very "gray", that it needed more color, a more creative side. As I spent a lot of time exploring blogs, I decided to create my own. My kind of joy brought me what I was missing. :)
One of many photos that you can find on Bárbara's instagram account
How is your life as a blogger? Do you have to reconcile writing and photography with a normal full-time job?
Yes. I often say that I have two full-time jobs: one as a jurist and another as a blogger. I can’t say it's a peaceful life, but it's a life that I like. I don’t lack emotion (and stress). :)
In what ways can blogs change the fashion world?
I think blogs work as a kind of reality check in the fashion world. They make it more reachable!!
What is your biggest dream?
Feel professionally fulfilled! My ideal professional situation is to work full time on the blog (fortunately, I have been further from it) or any other job in fashion.
Photo from one of Bárbara's posts on My Kind of Joy wearing Nix Red
Tell us something your readers/followers don’t know about you.
I share a LOT about myself on my blog, so if you want to know more just follow my day-to-day there. :)
What is the best attribute of Portuguese brands?
In general, Portuguese brands have great quality and are launched with great passion.
What is your favourite timepiece from Timeless Watches and which would you pick as a gift for your best friend?
Nix with black bracelet. It’s timeless!
