I get asked a lot of questions about blogging..”Why do you blog? Is it really important to you? What is your favorite thing about blogging?” The questions I get really run the gamut. Hands down I can say that the easiest question to answer is the last one…What is my favorite thing about blogging? I LOVE LOVE LOVE connecting with like-minded writers in the blogging community both near and far. For this very reason, I decided to create a monthly series called International Blogger Spotlight. I have found so many amazing blogs/bloggers/amazing writers out there that feel just as strong (if not stronger) about the same things I do. What better way to spread the lifestyle then to spread the wordly/worldly (get it?) love Y?
Without further ado, I am so incredibly pleased to announce the first installment of International Blogger Spotlight! Keep reading and learn all about Elisa Bini Brescia and her passion at Style Bizarre, a blog dedicated to a cruelty-free and sustainable life…Check out her book, Your Cruelty-Free Wardrobe Guide for a perfect how-to on transitioning your wardrobe to cruelty-free…Trust me there is so much we just don’t know; I, myself, as a cruelty free lifestyle blogger and learning new things everyday! You can get this ebook for FREE by clicking on the link above!
I had the opportunity of interviewing Elisa Bini Brescia, Editor & Owner of Style Bizarre for my 1st installment…Check out our Q & A below:
1-Please tell us a little bit about yourself & your blog.
I’m a 28 years old “girl” from Rome, Italy. I first decided to open a style blog because I was very much into alternative fashion and freedom of expression in general. That was my main focus in my first couple of years of blogging, then I branched into lifestyle blogging. Today, Style Bizarre is a cruelty-free and edgy fashion&lifestyle blog. It’s the place to go for bold looking style, cruelty-free and sustainable resourced and self-growth/wellness articles (I love yoga, meditation, energy healing etc. so I often write about these topics too).
2-How & when did cruelty free become a part of who you are?
I went vegetarian for the first time at 16 years old. After that, I went back to eating meat a couple of times, always stopping shortly after and going back to vegetarianism. It’s not an easy path when you are surrounded by people who consider consuming animal derived stuff as absolutely normal. What I mean is that it took me a while to connect all the dots. It took me 8 years to come to the conclusion that I would just stop purchasing stuff that had anything to do with animals altogether. Funny enough, I stopped buying leather way before I stopped eating meat for good. I went to a fashion school and I’ve worked in costume design for 5 years so I was fully aware of what was behind the fashion industry and the huge amount of waste we produce every season, which is way worse if we consider that we cause suffering to produce that waste. To make a long story short, I’ve been totally cruelty-free (fashion, food, beauty…) for almost 2 years now. I’m currently working on making my household products cruelty-free and eco-friendly too.
3-How long have you been a cruelty free fashion & lifestyle blogger?
I’ve been a blogger for over 5 years, I only stepped into cruelty-free blogging this year. As i mentioned in my first answer, my blog focus wasn’t cruelty-free fashion at the beginning (although I’ve never included fur products and almost no leather products too.). Now, my focus is to allow bold women to have an edgy look without the cruelty. Where possible, I also try to mention brands that care about the environment and fair labour.
4-What was the inspiration for your blog?
I think that one of the first blogs I used to read was Haute Macabre. It’s a gothic fashion blog and it’s been going on for years now. But my blog topics and graphic is totally myself, I don’t get inspired by one place in particular. Inspiration comes from all over the place! 😉
5-Who is your biggest fashion inspiration?
Again, there isn’t just one. I love a lot of bloggers and fashion designers. I’ve been a lot into minimalism and boho-chic lately (I know, I couldn’t name two things that are more different from each other!). I also love bold colours. I love the style of Gala Darling, Ivana Carpio, and avant-garde fashion designers like Gareth Pugh, Ann Demeulemeester and brands like Demobaza. But I also love sparkling creativity like Galliano, Gaultier, McQueen and Westwood.
“Be Yourself, Be Daring, Be Different!”
-Elisa B.
6-What is your personal fashion style?
Like, how I dress? Well, I’m all over the place with my personal style too. I don’t have one style I stick to. It’s most likely that you’ll see me in a pair of leggings, biker boots, slouchy tee/sweater and tons of rings and bracelets. But I also wear kaftans, kimonos, super tight mini dresses and stiletto heels. It really depends, but my wardrobe “staple” is the colour black. I don’t even do it on purpose anymore, it’s just that I will gravitate towards the black version of anything, it’s in my nature!
7-Where do you see your blog a year from now…5 years from now?
Hopefully I will have managed to turn it into a contributor blog. It will have 3 or 4 different main categories and each one will have its own editor. It will look more like an online mag than a personal blog (it’s never been a personal blog anyway).
8-What are some of your favorite cruelty-free blogs?
I will have to send you to a blog post of mine here. Here’s my personal top 10:
9-What book are your currently reading?
I always read two or three books at once. I’m reading “Western body, Eastern mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self” by Anodea Judith, “No Time for Karma” by Paxton Robey and “Babaji: The Lightning Standing Still” by Yogiraj Siddhanath.
10-If you could go anywhere on vacation where would it be and why?
I am a wanderer at heart so there are a ton of places on my travel list! I have a few: I want to go to Malta, the Canary Islands and Crete, mostly because I love my crystal clear sea. I’ve already been to Crete but just for a couple of days so I want to see more of it. I also want to visit India, because I do yoga and I’d love to know more and visit the places I read of in books. I also want to visit Mexico, California and Hawaii.
Thank you so much for your time Elisa! I am beyond excited to have you as the subject of the International Blogger Spotlight debut!
As Always, Stay Beautiful & Cruelty Free~~*
Love, Lucy Y
Cruelty Free Lucy 