Industry Look: An Editors Best
Mary O’Regan is the Senior Fashion Editor at METRO, and a stylish woman-about-town. Endless fashion spreads, countless interviews, and frequent snapshots of her personal style via Art of Wore—-the always forthright editor talks poignantly about the state of fashion in MN.
A Keen Eye For Detail…
Let’s talk about your work as a Fashion Editor; how do you stay one step ahead of the game, to ensure that you’re providing readers with the most current/pertinent information? In a nut shell, how do you know what’s hot and what’s not?
I follow tons of fashion blogs, websites, magazines and social media outlets. They help me pick up on patterns in the industry, which indicate future trends. I’m also always aware of what people are wearing, even in non-fashion-related situations, like at the grocery store or on a random TV show. Wardrobe choices always tell a story.
What are you looking for when prepping to write a feature on either a collection or a designer?
I’m often drawn to the overall vibe of the collection or body of work. How does it make me feel to look at it? And then I hone in on the details, like the prints, textures or styling. If it’s aesthetically pleasing in a unique, fresh way, I get really excited.
Do you have any concerns about the direction of fashion in Minnesota?
I’m concerned that people are burning out. Creating a viable industry here has been slow-going. People aren’t making any money. I’m always glad to see new designers popping up, but typically, as they get better, they either move to New York or just make clothes in their spare time. We have amazing fashion shows here, and the public is quite supportive, but it hasn’t been enough to create a sustainable industry. Yet.
What sparked the interest to pursue a fashion blog, especially with all the work of taking photos, creating different looks and interacting with readers/followers?
My blog is pretty much the uncensored runoff of everything I don’t have room to include in my job as Senior Fashion Editor for METRO. It’s my own little curated space on the Internet where my tastes and adventures are posted for all to see. It can definitely be a lot of work, but it’s worth it. I get such thoughtful feedback from my readers. And it’s fun for me to maintain an ever-changing body of work.
Fashionable Choices…
What’s your style philosophy?
Confidence is key. You can look good in just about anything if you wear it with confidence.
Do you have a favorite look from your daily photos via Art of Wore?
I don’t really post daily photos … so not really.
Favorite fashion writer?
Hamish Bowles, the European Editor at Large for Vogue. He’s absolutely entrenched in the industry and that expertise shines through in his writing, which is always flawless.
Which would you be more inclined to collect—-books or shoes?
Shoes. I love books, but I’m much pickier with my reading material, so it’d be a very small collection. But there are so many shoes out there I’d love to own. And the combinations of shoes with outfits are endless, whereas books can only be read once every three or four years. I’d get much more mileage out of shoes - literally!
What does a night on the town look like for you and a good crew of well heeled women?
Dinner at a new restaurant, maybe hit up a fashion show or art event, then drinks at a swanky bar, and finally, late-night pizza or tacos!
A Balanced Perspective…
How do you balance all aspects of your life?
I multi-task and prioritize. My job and personal relationships always come before blogging. It’s a hobby, not a job. I treat it like a form of recreation - something to do in my downtime, when I’m unwinding after work or after being out with friends. I try not to get down on myself if I go too long without posting or if I miss a cool fashion show. It’s not the end of the world, and I can only do so much!
How do you see your role within the MN fashion industry?
I help spread the word about what’s happening in the industry through my work at METRO and through my blog. I provide feedback on collections, publicize events and just generally try to be supportive. This has changed a bit now that I have a camera, because I’m able to document studio visits and runway shows for my readers. It’s been really fun.
What advice would you give to the young and men and women out there who would like to pursue a career much like yours?
Follow through with whatever you start. So many people start a blog, or get a story idea, or decide to become a stylist, and then don’t follow through with it. If you start a blog, update it regularly and don’t stop updating it. If you get a story idea, write the story and pitch it to editors until it gets picked up somewhere. If you want to become a stylist, contact photographers and offer up your services for free until you build up a portfolio that’ll get you paid. Whatever you do, don’t stop!
How are you inspired by art, and fueled by style?
Fashion exists under the umbrella of art and design. It’s just as much about colors and shapes and textures as a painting. So it’s with the same mental muscles that I analyze a painting as I analyze a dress or shoe. I fell in love with fashion because of its intimacy - you put it on your body and let it send a message about you to the world. That’s a powerful thing.
