An Interview with Danielle Meder

This past fall I met with a group of fabulous Toronto Fashion Bloggers. I met Danielle Meder who is a Ryerson Fashion Graduate and a professional fashion illustrator and blogger. I recently asked her to answer a few questions about her career and what she has been able to achieve through fashion blogging. Check out her illustrations and find out more about her at finalfashion.ca. She is also the illustrator for rags and mags so be sure to check it out! All images are courtesy of final fashion.


A: When and why did you start blogging?
DM: I started blogging in 2005 on my old blogspot, documenting the creation of my grad collection at fashion school. I was looking for an outlet to talk about fashion and ideas - despite being at fashion school I found most of the other students were not as nerdy as I was and not as interested in the minutae as I was.

A: Can you talk a little bit about your current position as a fashion illustrator?
DM: Because I was posting some of my work online, I began to get occasional clients just through Google and blog friends all over North America. Because I am trained as a designer, most of my clients are designers, and besides figure illustrations I also help designers create line sheets and technical drawings.

A: What have you gained through blogging? Can you talk about how you have been attending New York Fashion Weeks and your trip to Vegas?

DM: Blogging has allowed me to avoid employment and pursue the things that really interest me. I've made tons of great friends all over the world, and have had the opportunity to check out fashion weeks and other events as media. Final Fashion allows me to meet others with similar interests as well as serving as a way to introduce myself to the world. I am going to Las Vegas with a client who I've known since before I started blogging, so I wouldn't say this trip is a direct result of blogging - however we will both be blogging this trip!

A: Where do you see media going in the next few years?
DM: Gosh who knows. I suppose that the way media is delivered (papers or TV or whatever) will become less important as it all blends together on the internet, and online influence will become just as important as historical prestige. I don't think this prospect is as gloomy as the media makes it out to be, there will always be a place for professional journalists, high production values, and creativity.

A: Which show was your favorite at Toronto Fashion Week this past fall?

DM: Denis Gagnon and Renata Morales just showed everyone how it is done! Their work has a brave and confident point of view and is exciting to watch.

Thanks Danielle for taking the time to answer my questions!