Weekend Interview: Birdcage Magazine

1. How did you get the idea to start up your own magazine?
I first decided to start my own magazine after years of writing a blog, which is
now just a fashion blog I curate with the magazine taking up most of my time.
During my time as a blogger, I had been attending fashion weeks internationally,
meeting designers, spending a great deal of time backstage, and befriending
a multitude of models. I began to obtain experience in the industry through all
of my hard work, thus gaining invaluable practical knowledge of the world in
which I worked. I also came to learn that models have a great deal more to offer
than their profession requires. Many of these girls and boys are unbelievably
intelligent and talented in plenty more ways than one. Not only do they have
the worldliness from their work, but also many of them have hidden talent within
the writing, art, design, photography, and musical realms. In part, giving them
opportunity to expand their horizons and contribute to the industry on additional
levels was a key deciding factor in the start-up of the publication. Moreover,
as a young member of the fashion industry I realized that what our world was
lacking seemed to be the imagination and whimsicality that profoundly composes
fashion itself. Fashion is fantasy, creativity, and filled with the daydreams of
everyday thinkers. That was something I had come to know, and I felt I could
not possibly withhold that from the world. I also came to notice the incredible
talent of our youth, and the emergence of such brilliance today. We should all
aim to inspire; ourselves, each other, and learn all we can from the veterans to
laid the groundwork for us. So all being said, with the friendships I had formed
in the industry – with models, designers, and the like – I decided to create the
ultimate industry insider publication with the quintessential dose of both reverie
and realism.

2. How do people view your business, given the fact that you are so young? Do
you think they have faith in you/ trust you etc?
The thought of rejection definitely crossed my mind for a few moments when
implementing the plan for the magazine. Now, it is hardly a concern. As a young
team of models and industry members, the support we have received from both
the public and the well-established generation of the fashion industry has been
overwhelmingly surprising, but thoroughly appreciated. The faith that has been
put into our team and Birdcage Magazine as a whole has been so remarkable; it
has inspired me on so many levels. Despite common misconception, the world is
can be a welcoming place. You just have to make it so. Believe in every one, and
they will believe in you. I call it the rule of reciprocation.

3. What are some pieces of advice you have to young people who want to start
up their own business?
I think that when a person is fearless, hard working, and persistent, they can
accomplish anything they set their mind to. I know it is cliché, but I would say
there is a reason it is regarded as such – because it works. I might as well be a
walking cliché, because I did what they told me – the prophets, the poets, the
infamous quotes – I followed the undying rule of perseverance and it has led me
to where I stand today. There is nothing wrong with dreaming big. Be young and
fearless and fight for what you want, and the world will respond.

4. What are some of your favorite things to do, when you are not working?
This may sound absurd, but my work is my favorite thing to do! I rarely do
anything that is not relative to Birdcage, mostly because this is where my passion
lies, and I cannot think of a single thing I would rather be doing. Whether it is
editing articles, finding new talent, scoping out locations for fashion editorials,
preparing interviews, going over our model image board, or even just meeting
with the team members to discuss new innovations and ideas – I am always
keeping busy. Sometimes I consider it work, but when you work this hard for
something you love, the lines tend to blur. Sometimes I can’t even fall asleep,
because my waking life has just become that much better than my dreams.

5. Who are your fashion icons and inspiration when you get dressed in the
mornings, and why?
One of my favorite things about fashion is that it is constantly changing. I
absolutely adore being able to style my wardrobe around different themes in
accordance to the seasonal trends. Right now, I derive a great deal of inspiration
from the female icons of the sixties and seventies. I love the allure of bittersweet
nostalgia, from the iconic models to the beauties in film. Lately, I have been
really hooked on Bianca Jagger, but I have always loved the youthful Kate
Moss’ effortless chic. I have always liked the fashion veterans, such as Yves St.
Laurent and Lanvin, but on a day-to-day basis I tend to look towards labels like
Alexander Wang, Elie Tahari, Topshop, Commes des Garcons, Acne, and casual
chic from Urban Outfitters.

6. How did you get the opportunity to cover Fashion Week?
After a year or so of blogging, I began to receive invitations from designers
and public relations companies to come and cover the shows. From there, as I
attended more shows, I began to receive more invitations. I remember the first
show I was ever invited to – Ports1961. Now I have a certain fondness for them.

7. For all of those fellow writers out there, are you looking for writers for your
magazine?
Yes, definitely! The kind of writers we look for are those who can do more than
just cover a topic – they should be able to tell a story with their writing, rather
than give a report. The more lyrical the writing, the more inclined we are to
take writers. But there is plenty of work to be done and many talented writers
out there so feel free to give us a shout! Send some samples of your work to
contribute@birdcagemagazine.com and we will have a look!