'I'M NOT TELLING READERS TO WEAR IT. I'M JUST PUTTING IDEAS OUT THERE"CHRISTINE YOUNG RUNS THE AUCKLAND BASED FASHION, BEAUTY AND MUSIC WEBSITE MIXITUP.CO.NZ
ME:HOW LONG HAS MIXITUP BEEN IN EXISTENCE?
CHRISTINE YOUNG:Coming up to its 5th Anniversary this August 09…
ME: WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START A WEBSITE?
CHRISTINE YOUNG:I thought of the idea when I couldn’t sleep one night (which was a regular occurrence in 2004 for me!) I am kinda geeky (I used to be a TV Editor), knew my way around a computer and of course loved fashion and beauty, so the idea was born. There wasn’t anyone doing what I wanted to do at the time – which was focus on how to look good on the cheap – which was the site’s original ethos. I guess in 2004 a lot of woman out there still thought that it took a lot of cash to look good. Oh how things have changed…
ME:DESCRIBE YOUR WEBSITE...
CHRISTINE YOUNG: Really in a nutshell, the website is me. I only put on what I would wear myself, beauty products I like and music that I listen to. It’s really important to me that I stay that way as it sets me apart from all the other fashion websites out there. I don’t want a site just full of re-hashed press releases and social photos. Good writing is also important; I am a stickler when it comes to grammar! I am also very fussy about the look/style and layout of my site. I have two great writers who have a good understanding of what I want and keep with the image I want Mix It Up to have. My site has grown and changed a lot over the years. I now include things that cost more than I used to, my current obsession is Twilight, so I recently did a Vampire-themed spread, which was extremely enjoyable to work on!
ME:HOW LONG HAS MIXITUP BEEN IN EXISTENCE?
CHRISTINE YOUNG:Coming up to its 5th Anniversary this August 09…
ME: WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START A WEBSITE?
CHRISTINE YOUNG:I thought of the idea when I couldn’t sleep one night (which was a regular occurrence in 2004 for me!) I am kinda geeky (I used to be a TV Editor), knew my way around a computer and of course loved fashion and beauty, so the idea was born. There wasn’t anyone doing what I wanted to do at the time – which was focus on how to look good on the cheap – which was the site’s original ethos. I guess in 2004 a lot of woman out there still thought that it took a lot of cash to look good. Oh how things have changed…
ME:DESCRIBE YOUR WEBSITE...
CHRISTINE YOUNG: Really in a nutshell, the website is me. I only put on what I would wear myself, beauty products I like and music that I listen to. It’s really important to me that I stay that way as it sets me apart from all the other fashion websites out there. I don’t want a site just full of re-hashed press releases and social photos. Good writing is also important; I am a stickler when it comes to grammar! I am also very fussy about the look/style and layout of my site. I have two great writers who have a good understanding of what I want and keep with the image I want Mix It Up to have. My site has grown and changed a lot over the years. I now include things that cost more than I used to, my current obsession is Twilight, so I recently did a Vampire-themed spread, which was extremely enjoyable to work on!
ME: MIXITUP HAS A FRIENDLY PERSONAL RESPONSE TO FASHION, BEAUTY AND MUSIC. NO FASHION FASCISM IN REGARDS TO TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO WEAR?
CHRISTINE YOUNG:Yes…and that has always been on purpose. I can’t stand these ‘what’s hot & what’s not’ & ‘up & down’ columns. I mean, really, whose business is it to tell you what’s cool and what’s not?! Not mine that’s for sure. I only put on my site what I like & find interesting, I’m not telling readers to wear it, I’m just putting ideas out there and if people like them and take inspiration from them – then I am happy.
CHRISTINE YOUNG:Yes…and that has always been on purpose. I can’t stand these ‘what’s hot & what’s not’ & ‘up & down’ columns. I mean, really, whose business is it to tell you what’s cool and what’s not?! Not mine that’s for sure. I only put on my site what I like & find interesting, I’m not telling readers to wear it, I’m just putting ideas out there and if people like them and take inspiration from them – then I am happy.
ME: ORIGINALLY THE WEBSITE WAS ABOUT A MORE BUDGET ORIENTATED APPROACH TO FASHION AND BEAUTY. HAS THAT CHANGED?
CHRISTINE YOUNG:Yes, as I mentioned above – times have changed, only a few years back it was possible to walk into a vintage store and come out with some amazing, original 1950’s dresses for $60 each! Sadly, but also on a positive note, lots of people have cottoned onto vintage & cheaper ways to look good. Woman that would have never visited a chain store, now do and are actually proud to get a bargain. If something looks great on you, it now doesn’t matter if you got it from Karen Walker or Supre. So I guess I have grown with the idea that people are buying their clothes high and low end now, so the site is in line with that.
ME:YOUR FAVOURITE LABELS/STORES AND BEAUTY BRANDS?
CHRISTINE YOUNG: I have a very weak spot for my friend, Lara Parker’s store in Newmarket. She almost does two looks when she designs – a colourful, fun girl and then a darker, slightly gothic woman. I love the latter! I also like MADE, down on Customs Street, for all those preppy French labels – Lacoste, A.P.C and of course British label, Luella Bartley. I have a few things from Meadowlark Jewellery on my wish list - I am obsessed with what they do! I’m always on the lookout for a new, soft, well-cut t-shirt – I like the brand Somebody by Natalie Wood. Lee’s high rise jeans have been a staple for a few years too. My wardrobe has always been nearly all vintage, right now I’m trying to introduce some new clothes in there! I just brought two new winter coats from Ruby. I guess I am one of those ‘classic with a twist’ girls.
CHRISTINE YOUNG: I have a very weak spot for my friend, Lara Parker’s store in Newmarket. She almost does two looks when she designs – a colourful, fun girl and then a darker, slightly gothic woman. I love the latter! I also like MADE, down on Customs Street, for all those preppy French labels – Lacoste, A.P.C and of course British label, Luella Bartley. I have a few things from Meadowlark Jewellery on my wish list - I am obsessed with what they do! I’m always on the lookout for a new, soft, well-cut t-shirt – I like the brand Somebody by Natalie Wood. Lee’s high rise jeans have been a staple for a few years too. My wardrobe has always been nearly all vintage, right now I’m trying to introduce some new clothes in there! I just brought two new winter coats from Ruby. I guess I am one of those ‘classic with a twist’ girls.
As far beauty & skincare goes I am a bit of a product slut. I’m always trying new things that hit my desk. I like Clarins skincare – it just seems to suit my skin. Prevage eye & night creams are amazing. I like M.A.C foundations & powders, Revlon & NARS lipsticks, L’Oreal do great mascaras and my saviour, Lucas’ Papaw Ointment for everything! I feel extremely spoilt as far as all the lovely things I get sent to try (and write about).
ME: WHERE IS THE WEBSITE GOING?
CHRISTINE YOUNG: The site has spent the last few years being quite ‘underground’, which in some ways I like as it’s like a little secret or a club for those who like what I write about. But obviously your site has to have lots of visitors to make money! So my website is in the process of being exposed to a lot more readers now – since I became one of flossie.com’s publishers. Where do I want my site to go? I want to be able to write all day, every day – which is what I love – and not have to work a full time job on the side, which is what I do now.
CHRISTINE YOUNG: The site has spent the last few years being quite ‘underground’, which in some ways I like as it’s like a little secret or a club for those who like what I write about. But obviously your site has to have lots of visitors to make money! So my website is in the process of being exposed to a lot more readers now – since I became one of flossie.com’s publishers. Where do I want my site to go? I want to be able to write all day, every day – which is what I love – and not have to work a full time job on the side, which is what I do now.
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