Caribbean Blogger Spotlight: Natalia Oh!

If your blog is fashion and/or beauty related chances are you have been paying attention to the recent rise of fashion and style bloggers! Creating a blog is easy, keeping it going is another thing and turning it into a full blown branded business, well that takes a certain level of dedication.

Popular bloggers have built a name for themselves, some with enough clout to garner profitable partnerships with upcoming and well established fashion and beauty brands. Where there seem to be “many fishes in the sea”, finding a niche that makes you stand out can prove as a challenge for newbie bloggers. But talented blogger new or old always stand out among the rest.

Natalia Oh! is a Jamaica based fashionista/stylist who started out just posting pictures of her outfits and DIY projects on Instagram, no blog. Not new to the fashion scene, Natalie, Creator of Natalia Oh! has been pictured in street style photography in events in Jamaica for her impeccable taste. With a little nudge from friends and fellow bloggers, she started Natalia Oh in August 2012 and has since been feature on TVJ’s Smile Jamaica the Jamaica Gleaner. With only a few months of blogging under her belt, she is definitely as Caribbean Fashion Blogger you should watch.

How did you get into fashion (when did you become intrigued by the industry)?

I’ve always enjoyed fashion for as long as I can remember I was cutting up my mom’s belts to make earrings and studying the pages of People and Brides magazines that she took home from the grocery store. I started designing my own clothes from elementary school when I helped with the design of my schools’ cheer leading uniforms.

How would you describe your personal style and where do you draw inspiration from?

My personal style is classic chic with glam, I’m not huge on trends as I try to temper trends with classic pieces. However, I’m the most happiest in sequins and platform stilettos, but I also love black leggings and a tunic with ballet flats for running around town.

Name your top Style-cons?

Olivia Palermo, Jennifer Lopez, Kourtney Kardashian, Emma Stone, Ginnifer Goodwyn, Solange Knowles and Kerry Washington.

What designers do you love, what brands do you wear the most?

I love Michael Kors for his fresh take on simple but precise cuts and fit. I also love the timelessness of Georgio Armani and their mastery of streamlined collections, but because I’m such a girly girl, I find myself drooling over the collections of Monique Lllulier and Valentino. I very rarely wear brands, I have a couple pieces from Yigal Azrourel I bought over 10 years ago, I also have pieces from BCBG. As a rule, I rarely wear brands, I try instead to get a designer look for a fraction of the cost, which is why I do so many DIY projects.

You’re blog is pretty new; tell me about how you got started?

I was being asked on Instagram quite frequently if I had a blog because of my projects and my fashion tips, so my good fiend Danielle Drummond took it up on herself and created the blog for me. She has taught me everything I know, and I must say I thought I was smart until I started a blog. The learning curve is so steep but I’m finally getting more comfortable with the new terms and inner workings.

What are your goals for your blog?

I would love to be able to post more regularly and hopefully my followers will turn to my blog as a one stop shop for all things fashion. Current trends and key tips on staying fashionable on a budget.

What are some of the challenges you’ve come across with blogging?

Time management has been the biggest challenge for me, I am a proud mother of two lovely boys and being an active parent at their school, extra curricular activities and helping them with their homework it has been difficult to balance blogging regularly.

Also, another challenge I’ve found is trying to maintain uniqueness on the blog, it seems sometimes that everything has already been done, trying to stay fresh and ahead of the curve is quite challenging.

What are some of your favorite fashion blogs to visit?

Manrepeller, Tuula, Sartorialist, KTR Style, Quaint of Heart, Sydney Fashion Blogger, The Blonde Salad.

Do you think blogging will change the game of fashion in the Caribbean (how, why or why not?)

I do believe so, as blogging is a form of advertising and after gaining trust from followers I think as a blogger in the Caribbean I will be able to feature fashion trends with a Caribbean twist and in so, featuring local designers and retailers. Also, I think my followers will believe me more when I recommend something as blogging is a more targeted form of advertising.

What can we expect next from Natalia Oh?

Well, I can hope to be a better blogger posting more regularly and maybe in the near future I will be able to fulfill a life long dream which is to launch a successful clothing line.

Keep up with Natalie on Instagram: & Twitter: imajumaican | Facebook