To celebrate the many fabulous fashion bloggers, in this series, we will be interviewing some of our favorites and finding inspiration in their styles, today we are meeting Raez of Cheap Thrills.
Raez, tell us a little bit about yourself (who you are/what you do/where you’re from, etc.).
My name is Raezavel Argulla, but I go by Raez. I’m an 18 year old photography student from Winnipeg, Canada and CHEAP THRILLS is my third unofficial job. Right now I’m doing school, blogging and juggling two jobs, but by next year, my goal is to be studying Fashion Communications at Ryerson University in Toronto.
How would you define your style?
I don’t like to categorize or label my style for a few reasons. One, I never feel like my aesthetic fits in anywhere; two, I’m ever-changing so I can never put a name to it; and three I don’t like to limit myself to just one look. If I had to describe it right now though, I’d say I’m pretty into dressing minimally, fierce shoes, and leather and fur.
How did you find your sense of style?
I don’t think I’ve found it yet to be honest. Style, like life, is a journey not a destination. I’d like to think I’m still experimenting and figuring it out for myself. Blogging, magazine editorials and vintage hunting has helped shaped it though.
What inspired you to start a style blog? What motivates you to keep blogging?
I started blogging at 14 as a way to voice my opinion on the various fashion trends that was going on at the time and it led to my exploration of fashion, style and photography to name a few things. Today, I am motivated by my readers who always seem to be as excited as I am about new shoes, vintage finds and photography. I’ve also gotten a few comments from people who’ve said I’ve inspired them in some way, and that is great motivation too!
What was the best comment you ever received from a reader?
It’s hard to remember specifics, but I always enjoy when a reader has actually read a long post with a lot of wordy opinions and takes the time to respond to it and voice their own thoughts. Or when you’re dealing with things or events in your life that you just put out there, not thinking anyone really cares (busy school life, missing favourite dress etc) and someone sympathizes or relates; that’s always more personal and I value that more than the ol’ “OMG cute outfit!!!”.
What are your favourite pieces in your wardrobe?
My favourite pieces in my wardrobe right now are my Calvin Klein OTK leather boots, giant white vintage fur stole, and my matching gold “Wonder Woman” cuffs I got from Forever 21.
What is your top fashion tip?
Dress for yourself, dress to suit your body and don’t ever give a shit what other people think.
Your first thought in the morning?
My first thought is always, “How cold is it today? What am I going to wear?!”
What is your favourite thing to do when not blogging?
Being out on a photo shoot! Developing my photography is important to me, so I try to be behind the camera as much as possible, staging my own little fashion shoots.
For you, what is the world’s most fashionable city?
I think the world’s most fashionable people are from the Scandinavian/Northern European countries! The Swedes, the Danish, the Dutch, the Finnish–they all know how to dress. I like their minimalistic yet sometimes traditional aesthetic and like that they too, dress for the colder climate!
How would you describe fashion in the city where you live?
I would say Winnipeg is a good place to start exploring fashion. It’s not too diverse, but allows for diversity, and I think the limits that we have here, like not having H&M or Zara, challenges people to dress more creatively and to find other alternatives. I love that fashion scene here not too obscure so that fashion is not considered a bad word and I also appreciate that not everyone s dressed to the nines 24/7. It’s a happy medium.
What message do you hope to send to your readers?
I like to think readers leave my blog with some sort of new idea or inspiration from what I’ve worn, what I’ve said or what I’ve posted in general. My blog is, and will probably always be all about being stylish on a modest budget. I hope that readers part with the feeling that they can make anything work for them and that you
don’t need $800 shoes to be chic, just a little imagination and attitude!
Do you find Raez’s style inspiring? Let us know in the comments!
SIMONETTA RAVIZZA FUR
BLAUER JACKET
PINKO SHIRT
YVES SAINT LAURENT BAG
VALENTINO BIJOUX
