If you hadn’t already noticed from the wonderful coverage on tweet perth, we’re currently in the middle of the incredible Telstra Perth fashion festival, and how better to celebrate than by interviewing one of Perth fashion blogger Demelza Buckley. 

I managed to grab Demelza during the fashion week hustle and bustle and got some incredible tips from dressing for your body type to how to get the perfect photo…

Demelza Buckley is an Irish Fashion designer and blogger living in Perth Western Australia with a penchant for all things fashion. Demelza Buckley is a compact diary of fashion, design, trends, style, work, inspirations and travel. Follow Demelza’s sartorial journey.

Demelza, thank you so much for agreeing to take part in the Tweet Perth meet the bloggers series (especially in the middle of fashion week!). What inspired you to start a fashion blog and who are your biggest fashion influences?

I originally started my blog Demelzabuckley.com to share my love of fashion, my knowledge of the industry, style tips, travel, where I shop, eat and different things that happen along the way.  

My blog is a creative outlet and portfolio of my work as I am a fashion designer and stylist by profession. Fashion is the heartbeat of this blog and my life.

Growing up I was surrounded by fabric, clothes and developed my creative flair for designing from my mother, a dressmaker. As a child I knew I was going to work in the fashion industry, I am very tactile person and just from touching a fabric can imagine it realised as a garment and how it will sit and move on the body.

When people asked me ‘why I wanted to be a fashion designer’, the answer has always been the same.

It chose me, I never had that what will I do with when I grow up, I had a clear definition of where I was headed, this knowledge and love for fashion inspired me to share my love of fashion with the world as I not only have an appreciation for fashion but also the highs and lows and hard work that goes into making a collection.

I think my mum has been a huge fashion influence in my life, she always pushes boundaries with fashion, she looks ahead at what will be a big trend in seasons to come rather than following the crowd.

Also, I love Victoria Beckhams refined style.

Your outfits are always so beautifully styled, what are your top tips for wanna-be fashionistas?

Thank you Hannah, that is so lovely to hear.

I like to keep things simple when dressing for an event or occasion, often choosing a dress and accessorising accordingly. Growing up my mum showed me how to match my outfit which I guess I still do. I dress like a girlie girl; I love dresses and what I feel more comfortable wearing. I also love bright colours and white so I usually chose to a bright coloured dress and tone down my accessories by adding nude heels.

Tips:

1) You don’t have to follow trends and buy designer pieces to be fashionable. Fashion is one thing but personal style is unique. I would advise any budding fashionistas to stay true to your own personal style, don’t follow the crowd, break the rules and be a trend setter. Embrace your individuality.

2) Dress to suit your body shape. It takes time to find out what suits you and that’s the fun about fashion, take the time, try new things and experiment with different looks.

I remember wearing yellow jeans when I was a child and I love them, then I wore them to school and everyone mocked me. I never wore those yellow jeans again. People can be cruel, I didn’t really grow into myself until college and my style still changes and evolves as I mature.

3) Wear colours that compliment your colouring, as a blonde I love to wear a lot of colour; they call me fluoro girl in work. Again it takes time to find what colours suit you.

4) When in doubt leave it out, this is the motto I live by for everything and it usual sees me through. If you put something on, a pair of shorts and think, are these too short, are these too tight then they probably are and it’s best to change and put something on you are comfortable in.

I know I personally struggle being in front of the camera, as a Fashion Blogger you must have to get used to having your photo taken pretty swiftly. What are your tips for getting the perfect outfit shot?

Unfortunately getting the perfect outfit shot can be trial and error and can often come down to lighting, location, natural element’s need to all need to work together to get the perfect shot.

I suggest…

1) Lighting try and stand in a brightly lit area, natural light is always best to get a good photograph or a white background.

2) Get someone you feel comfortable with to take your photo as this comes across in the shot.

3) Take a couple of different shots at different angles so that you have a
few options to choose from.

4) You can always edit your photos with different apps to achieve your
desired look.

As a fellow expat, you obviously have a spot for Perth in your heart, what makes you love our wonderful city so much?

I fell in love with Perth when I came for a holiday to visit my sister with my dad a few years ago. I loved the beaches and relaxed way of life and knew I would love to live here. My favourite place in WA is the beach and I try to get there as much as possible. The longer I live here the more I discover, there are so many amazing places to see in Perth city, suburbs and across Western Australia.

You can find Demelza Buckley’s blog at demelzabuckley.com, instagram @demelzabuckleyfashion and Facebook /demelzafashionblog

If you’re a Perth based blogger and would like to be considered for the series drop me a tweet @_hannahbc or email [email protected]