This week’s conversation features our long-time girl crush and chromatic queen – meet Thania, the brains behind fashion blog Catcher in the Style!
Q: YOUR LIFESTYLE BLOG, CATCHER IN THE STYLE, IS COLORFUL, QUIRKY, AND BEAUTIFUL CURATED. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START BLOGGING, AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?
The blog came to me in a dream while I was flying back to California from New York. I was modeling at the time. When I got home, I spoke to my brother and told him I think I should start blogging, and we were going through different names. He asked me what my favorite book was growing up. Then, Catcher in the Style was born. My favorite part of my job is inspiring people, sharing knowledge, and traveling.
Q: WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR WHOLE LOOK, AND OF COURSE YOUR SIGNATURE BANGS! ANY AT-HOME HAIR TIPS FOR US WHILE MOST SALONS STAY CLOSED?
Thanks so much! I love bangs; they are so fun. I have been trimming my bangs during the quarantine. I got super good at it; I cut them straight across then texturize them on the ends.
I wear my hair naturally curly now since my hair is getting longer, and I just hang at home. Time to give the curls some love.
Q: HOW DO YOU SEE THE INFLUENCER INDUSTRY ADAPTING TO THE CURRENT WORLD CLIMATE AND SPEAKING OUT ON IMPORTANT ISSUES OTHER THAN FASHION, BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE?
The future of the industry is activism. The days of just posting outfits won't cut it. Consumers care about issues. Brands need to step up and be more eco-friendly and transparent. The influencer's job is to educate people on real problems also educate themselves. Our choices here directly affect people and the planet.
Q: IT’S UNDENIABLE THAT 2020 HAS BEEN QUITE A YEAR, AND WE ARE ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH. LOOKING BACK ON THE PAST FEW MONTHS, HAVE YOU LEARNED ANYTHING ABOUT YOURSELF – PERSONALLY OR PROFESSIONALLY?
During the pandemic, I kept myself very busy with a voter advocacy campaign I'm organizing with Plus1vote. It's a non-partisan youth lead voting coalition. We have two and a half months to get millions registered to vote! I also work on sustainability in fashion and beauty with a few non-profits. I haven't had time to think about me; I want to change the world. It's go-time!
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RISE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY, SPECIFICALLY COMPARED TO WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED AS A BLOGGER?
As I started researching what goes into clothing production, I found the dark side of fashion. I started doing panels almost two years ago with the UN. The more the conversation was out there, the more people knew, it was a matter of time before the entire industry needed to shift their energy into a more eco-friendly model. When I first started blogging, it was fun and easy traveling, not knowing people were suffering from Human trafficking labor exploitation and child labor as well. Not knowing the farmers were suffering from higher health conditions because of the pesticides, and we are wearing this stuff. The more you know about these things, you can't sit idle; we need to fight for them.
Those with influence, who choose to do nothing, need to take a moment and talk to themselves on what in the world they are influencing. I work with brands on holding them accountable. I also work with lobbyist groups who write the policy for stricter laws in the fashion and beauty industries. I see sustainability is more of an open conversation; I still see influencers not researching the brands and working with human trafficking offenders. A lot is going to change in the future. If you don't stand for something, you will follow everything.