Dylana Suarez is a gem in the vast ocean of fashion blogs and bloggers. Since starting her blog in 2009, she’s been recognized by a variety of top publications, brands, and designers, who all recognize her youthful, classic taste for great style over trends. She’s a bomb photographer (shot a Free People catalog in 2010), model (most recently with her sister Natalie for H&M), AND musician! Check out her story below and her blog for her daily outfits and style musings HERE.

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Cedar: When did you start your blog? Was it something you felt inspired to do on your own, were you encouraged to by others, etc.?
Dylana: I started my blog back during the summer of 2009, while I was in summer school at UCLA. I was also just totally bored and needed a little escape from the monotony of school. It was definitely something that I felt inspired to do all on my own. I loved to write about fashion, and a blog felt like the perfect way to go about things.
Cedar: I notice that you wear a ton of enviable vintage pieces. Where do you find the best affordable vintage?
Dylana: I find the best vintage at random thrift stores around Los Angeles. Exclusive vintage stores are usually too expensive for me. I always shop for the deals. Most of my best vintage pieces are under $10 believe it or not! I just have a good eye for vintage wherever I shop I guess.
Cedar: Who are your favorite designers? Any that you’ve worked with?
Dylana: I have so many favorite designers! A few of my faves are Marc Jacobs, Pheobe Philo, Hannah Macgibbon, the Mulleavy sisters, Miuccia Prada, Michael Kors, and the designers of Proenza Schouler. I haven’t worked with any yet, but hopefully soon! All I can do right now is admire!
Cedar: Would you ever start your own line?
Dylana: I am not much of a fashion designer, but I do sketch once in a while and I know a good design when I see one. Maybe someday I will! I always love to be creative and try new things!
Cedar: What is 1) the best and 2) the worst or weirdest part about having your blog? Any strange run-ins with readers or any amazing opportunities coming up?
Dylana: The best part of having a blog is getting to know a whole community full of super amazing and nice people who love the same things I do. I’m not sure if anything about having a blog is weird. It is just so normal for me now. But sometimes those who aren’t really into fashion don’t understand what I do. To me, blogging is a lot of fun, and I do it just for that reason! I have had run-ins with readers, but they have never been weird at all, just really nice! Lots of amazing opportunities have come up to, like being able to shoot the October 2010 Free People catalog or working with some really great brands.
Cedar: What do you do at Volcom? Did your knowledge of high fashion, vintage, and the online fashion scene help you get this job and others?
Dylana: I am the girls social media coordinator at Volcom. I run the Volcom Girls Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the VOLCOMUNITY blog. I write for the Volcom Voice part of the blog, interview designers and fashion bloggers, and make sure that the blog is going in the right direction. I also work on a lot of creative projects for the blog like video shoots and even a little photography. This is my favorite part! Hopefully, what I am helping do with the brand will give Volcom girls a bigger presence online and in the fashion world!
Cedar: What are your future plans? Anything exclusive you can share with us?
Dylana: I hope to continue working in fashion and in marketing. I would also love to ease my way into styling and campaign productions. I love anything that is very hands-on and allows me to play with the clothes and create a beautiful image. Projects like this always get me excited! Nothing exclusive just yet, but hopefully soon!