Caroline Mason is a 17-year-old fashion blogger from North Carolina who was raised in New York City. She spends most of her time dreaming of pursuing a career in fashion and says she lives for fashion. She has managed to start her pursuit at a young age and her drive will surely get her far in the fashion world. Caroline is very classic in the way she dresses. Her outfits all have a certain amount of class that are evocative of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. She wants to be the next Anna Wintour and she might just make that dream happen if she keeps on her ambitious path. Her blog is http://www.afashionneverland.blogspot.com and her tumblr is http://eleventhandbleecker.tumblr.com.
Tell us about your personal style. Where do you get your inspiration?
If I had to summarize my style in one word it would have to be bipolar. It changes from day to day. My friend and I actually tried to map it out the other day it ended up being somewhere from New York’s feminine glamour to London edgy with a hint of Parisian androgyny.
What are staple pieces in your wardrobe? What are staple pieces you think every girl should have in their closet?
I think every girl needs one really great pair of shoes that make her feel like a different person. If you don’t have the confidence to wear something killer yourself, pretend to be someone else for the night- play with it! As for myself, I couldn’t live without my oversized sweaters. This is where my Olsen mentality comes in. I’m constantly on the go, so I have to be able to move in my clothes. You can style them for any occasion, up or down, chic or comfy.
Who are your fashion icons?
Ashley Olsen. She always gets it right in my mind, despite her sizing issues. Anna Dello Russo. I may look ridiculous in half the things she wears, but she brings such an inspiring level of confidence into each look. She and Daphne Guinness had mastered the whole GaGa thing way before GaGa was even famous. Kate Moss. I want to raid her closet.
What inspired you to make a fashion blog?
I had been reading fashion blogs for a while before I started my own three years ago. I hadn’t started of thinking my own until I saw that this girl, two years younger than me, who was not only doing it, but getting noticed for it. I thought if this random girl from the suburbs of Chicago can do it, why can’t I?
What is the meaning behind your fashion blog name?
I have a huge obsession with Peter Pan (the original Disney version) and somehow wanted to incorporate that into my blog. Neverland was my dream location throughout my childhood- a mystical place without rules. I want my blog to be an extension of myself, so I try to share things that I love but may not always be fashion related.
Which do you prefer blogspot or tumblr? And why?
Blogspot. It’s more organized and easier to keep track of past posts. To me, tumblr is more about quantity versus Blogspot’s substance. Tumblr is great for posting loads of photos but too much to keep up with on a regular basis.
What is the future for your blog? Are you planning any fashion collaborations? Designing?
I don’t have any specific plans for the blog right now besides bettering the content to the best of my capability, but I would love to do some sort of designer collaboration. As long as I was a fan of the brand and felt my readers identify with the brand, I would love to collaborate (anyone looking?)
What do you think separates you from other fashion bloggers?
There is a ton of great blogs out there, so it’s really important for each one to have a niche. What separates me from a lot of other bloggers is that I don’t critic, I explain. It’s hard to have credibility on the Internet, but I try to make sure that there is always a certain level of it in what I’m saying. I’m pretty much a bonafide fashion stalker and can put names to faces to companies to history, which isn’t seen as often in fashion blogs since anyone can start one. I don’t really critic but explain.
What are you looking to do in fashion? Is it a hobby or future career?
Right now I’m in the process of applying to colleges. Most of the schools I’m looking at are fashion focused (FIT, Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion…) Its more than a hobby, maybe even more than a future career. It’s pretty much a lifestyle to me. You could sum it up as fashion journalism, but really I just want to be Anna Wintour.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years I hope to have a job at a fashion magazine in New York City, and some income to live on. Somewhere between Anna Wintour’s assistant and a contributing editor for a .com. I hope my starting early with internships will help this happen, but I am willing to sleep on the floor if it means working for Vogue.
What are your top places to shop?
Topshop & Forever 21 for fast fashion, LF for cool pieces and Barney’s New York for splurges.
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
I spent the summer interning in New York with a PR firm and was the youngest intern they have ever had, I am double jointed in my thumbs, I have my Mom’s collection of vintage Nancy Drew mysteries in my room, I speak French, and I have seen every episode of Friends at least three times.
What’s your favorite color?
Black. I’m a New Yorker at heart.
What do you spend most on?
Jackets and bags. I have at least 50 jackets in my closet – I wear them with everything, they’re a great way to compliment or complete an outfit. My latest splurge was an Alexander Wang leather jacket; I have pretty much lived in it since purchase.
What do you spend less on?
I’m spoiled with cheap Forever 21 accessories. I’ll never pay more than $10 for a necklace or a pair of earrings.
What inspires you?
My inspiration can come from anywhere. I’m constantly reading fashion magazines so my inspiration a lot of the time comes from there. Recently my style has been inspired by Freja Beha Ericson’s androgynous off duty style, Emma Stone’s ’50 silhouettes in The Help, and Lanvin’s dance off video.
Tell us about where you live.
Currently I’m living in North Carolina, but lately with all the work trips to New York City, it seems like more of a joint living situation. I would have never chosen to live in NC but it’s always a relief from the constant pressure of city life.
What are you passionate about?
Fashion. It’s been this way since fourth grade. I’m rarely seen without a magazine or laptop in hand. I dedicate every minute I can to it. It’s been tough a lot of hard work but my passion for it hasn’t faltered.
Where would you like to visit/live in the future?
I can see myself in New York or London in the near future. Its difficult to work in fashion and not live in a fashion capital, so for school, my choices are all in big cities.
What can’t you live without?
My phone, I can barely go fifteen minutes without checking my email and fashionista. Burt’s Bees chaptstick, WWD, leisurely coffee and my monthly magazines.
By: Cristina Horta
