February 10, 2015

Embracing controversy, getting real about blogging, and tons on vintage fashion: an interview with Emileigh from Flashback Summer


One of my favourite types of posts to share with all of you here, and one that I know many of you enjoy a great deal as well (the results of last year's Chronically Vintage reader's survey told me as much :)) is interviews with fellow members of the vintage community.
 
Today I'm elated to do just that in the form of a wonderful interview conducted via email that I recently had with Emileigh Rogers from the engaging and always enjoyable vintage fashion, crafting and lifestyle blog, Flashback Summer.





Emileigh is a passion young blogger from the States who loves the past, traveling, speaking her mind, her family, 1930s and 40s fashions (in particular), and never shying away from posting topics that act as springboards for some of the more controversial subjects in our vintage loving midst.


I've had the great pleasure of knowing her since her blog's earliest days and feel honoured that I got the opportunity to learn, and share, more about her with all of you today.


 
When you think of your blog, what are five adjectives about it that instantly spring to mind?


Intercultural – honest – worldview – vintage – conversation (These aren’t exactly adjectives… but they describe my blog still!)



You've been blogging since 2012, what are some of the most unexpected things you've learned over the course of that time?

Quite honestly, I only started blogging to drive sales to my Etsy shop, and it's still a dream of mine to be able to make some decent money from blogging and writing. However, I’ve been surprised at how much I actually love blogging itself and the community around it. I don’t even have an Etsy shop now, but I still have a blog! Although some moolah to support my vintage habit is a motivator, the fact that I have enjoyed getting to know other vintage wearers, learn a lot, and get to express myself is the motivation that gets me through the difficult blogging times.



If you could go back in time and give yourself just one piece of advice that you (now) wish you'd known as a novice blogger, what would it be?

I would tell myself not to try to be Solanah (from Vixen Vintage and American Threads), or any other blogger. I love Solanah’s blogs, but I’m not her! I first attempted to recreate such a blog and realized I was miserably short on vintage clothes… kinda a staple for a vintage blog. So I stopped and regrouped for a while, thinking about what MY blog would really be about, one that filled a gap in the vintage blog world. I then relaunched my blog later into what is now Flashback Summer!




On Flashback Summer, you never shy away from discussing topics that might stir up some friendly debate (such as whether or not to alter/remake genuine vintage garments, as well as numerous posts pertaining to different potentially culture sensitive topics including racism in vintage prints and jewelry, what drives your desire to get people thinking and talking about subjects that might, so to speak, rock the boat?

I love deep conversations and hearing different viewpoints, if it’s done in a constructive and respectful way. I sometimes feel like the vintage world can be very 2D and superficial, and I wanted to bring the depth to the blog world that I know exists in vintage wearers’ real lives. We’re from all over the world, and working through tough subjects with each other can open our minds to new lines of thought and celebrate the diversity that is the vintage community. I love that!



What are some of the posts that you've most enjoyed sharing on your blog to date?

I have really enjoyed the controversial posts. Like I said before, I love hearing others’ viewpoints. I also really like the Intercultural Vintage posts. I adore studying the traditional clothing of other countries, and when it dawned on me that, technically, traditional equals vintage oftentimes, I knew I had to include it! Cultures have borrowed bits of fashion from each other since the beginning of time, and I like tracking down where certain style influences have come from and the effect of cultures on each other.




Do you feel like your online self and your offline self are quite similar or are there elements of your offline self that rarely appear on your blog? (I find this to be true for myself big time!)
I think my online self and offline self are pretty similar. I’m a fact-loving, culture-studying vintager in real life, too, so my blog expresses some of my biggest passions in life. I think the only things that are different are that I’m more sarcastic and dry-humored offline simply because that doesn’t translate as well to the written word.

I’m also more controversial offline, but I only become more blunt and bring up very difficult topics in the context of relationships where I feel I’ve earned the right to speak. It’s too easy to be completely misunderstood online for me to feel comfortable sharing some of my opinions on very difficult subjects on my blog. Relationship creates a lot of grace and benefit of the doubt in times of disagreement that the internet doesn’t always provide.


For those who may be new(ish) to vintage, what are some of your top tips for sporting old school styles?

I would definitely start with classic pieces like a button down and high waisted pencil skirt. I tried to add in a bunch of vintage clothing all at the beginning, and it was expensive and frustrating as I tried to figure out the trends of decades, bought wrong sizes, etc. Start with a button down and pencil skirt and change your hair, makeup, and accessories to suit different decades. This is a low-cost way to experiment with your style to find something you love. Then you can invest in those statement pieces you know you’ll like longer term. I wish I had done this!




What decades in time are you currently finding your wardrobe most pulled towards?


The 1930s and 40s are what it’s about right now! I have pretty much always been drawn to these, though I’m exploring the 1930s more than I used to. I also have a weakness for a nipped-waist 50s suit that gets thrown in every once in a while, too!



Is there one or more decade that you love the fashions (et al) from but don't often, if ever wear?

I adore the 10s and 20s, but I hardly ever wear them. They tend to be the rarer, more expensive pieces or completely impractical for modern life. I LOVE the Gibson girl look, but it’s a bit much for the modern-day office!






Where are some of your favourite sources (online or off) from which to source vintage fashions and accessories?

Around my area there are two vintage stores, one of which doesn’t sell anything earlier than 1960, and the other is a bit expensive and mostly newer things as well. Because of this, I find a LOT of my clothes at flea markets/antique malls. EVERY Missouri/Arkansas town has at least one flea market, so I go on the hunt and see what I can find!



Are you a vintage purist in terms of preferring to only wear genuine vintage pieces or do you like to mix things up and wear repro, vintage inspired and similar classic pieces as well?

I would love to wear only vintage pieces, but my budget doesn’t allow it. To wear vintage every day you really have to have a lot of vintage so as not to damage things with overuse, and I just can’t swing that! Almost my whole wardrobe is now made of authentic vintage and pieces I have made myself from vintage patterns. Making things myself has proven to be cost-effective and lets me wear custom designs I love!




You recently got married (happy congrats again!) with a vintage themed wedding and shared some of the wonderful highlights of your special day on your blog. Did you find the online world to be helpful to you in planning your big day? If so, what sites in particular did you turn to often for inspiration, help, etc?

Thank you, Jessica! I found the online world a bit helpful in planning my wedding, but mostly for tracking down musicians, venues, etc. that were available in my area. I kind of looked at Pinterest, but I hate the idea of simply copying things I find off of there, so I really tried to use my own brain and creativity to come up with original, unique things that would work. I also asked my creative friends to help with different pieces of it, so they each brought their own skills to the table!



Have you found that anything on your blog or your approach to blogging has changed since you tied the knot?

I do know that my husband helps me take a lot more pictures now! It’s much handier photo-wise to live in the same house with him! Other than that, I don’t think my blogging has changed very much. Jacob is very understanding about my blog ambitions and very supportive.




What do you wish people knew about you and/or your blog (that's you're comfortable sharing publicly, naturally) that they don't already?

I know that other bloggers probably understand this, but I don't think people realize how much work it is to keep a blog up! I'm working on learning to balance the different areas of my life a little better right now, and while I'm trying to be intentional about creating good content, sometimes it's a struggle in the midst of responsibilities. But I do really enjoy it, so I want to keep at it!



Thinking ahead to the future, what would be your ultimate dream/goal for your blog?

I have other life ambitions, but if those for some reason fell through, I'd love to blog as my "day job." For me it's really not about making lots of money, it's about being freed up to do the things I love all the time... because what I love to do generates income! However, I'm thinking that other life events are going to take precedence eventually, so I'd like to work my hardest to create a great blog that I can be proud of until that time.




What kinds of things (topics, types of outfit or how-to posts, etc) are you looking forward to posting about on Flashback Summer this year?

I am really excited that my sister is contributing to the blog this year with holistic health types of posts. She will be talking about physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. I thoroughly enjoy her writing and I know she has so much wisdom, especially at only 21 years old, to share with the world. I’d describe her as a hippie Yoda because of that.


(Jessica's note) You can also connect with Emileigh on the following sites:









{All images care of Flashback Summer}


♥ ♥ ♥



Thank you very much for this stellar interview, Emileigh. I really appreciate that you wanted to chat with me and must say again how lovely it was to get to know you and your blog even better through this fun Q&A session.

If you're not following Flashback Summer (how charming is that name, BTW!) already, I can't recommend doing so highly enough. Emileigh has a wonderful vision for her site, posts often and on a diverse range of subjects, and is a truly lovely person.

You'll adore her blog, her candor, her gorgeous vintage outfits, her whit and her instantly recognizable passion for the past, and quickly find yourself looking forward to each her new posts as much as I, and her ever growing throngs of readers, do.








45 comments:

  1. Great interview, Jessica - you ask such interesting questions, doesn't surprise me that your readers love these posts! I've read Emileigh's blog here and there but should follow it more closely as she sounds inspirational :) and I love the idea of the 'deeper' posts - it's something I've never thought about doing (probably because I like an easy life), but would be really interesting to read and interact with... CC x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet gal. I'm always looking for fellow vintage bloggers to interview, should you happen to be you're interested yourself (just drop me a line about it anytime).

      I like a mix of deeper and "lighter" posts myself. No one wants things to be uber serious 24/7, especially on something as seemingly cheerful and happy-go-lucky as a vintage blog, but by the same token, it can serve a blogger well to go more in-depth at least once in a while. It helps your readers to connect with you and see a more human, real side of who you are (not just, for example, what you're wearing in outfit posts). Everyone has their own comfort level here and there is truly no exact formula or right and wrong about sharing deeper posts, simply what you're comfortable with and feel is right for your own site in the moment.

      Thank you for your terrific comment - big hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  2. What rare and beautiful style she has! And her answers make me want to visit her blog right now. ***Off I Go***

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She really does have a fresh, creative, awesome sense of style (that one can instantly tell has been influenced by your travels and time spent living abroad), I agree.

      I'm delighted to have been able to introduce you two, Ally. Thank you very much for your great comment!

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
    2. Aw, thank you guys! I'm flattered!

      Delete
  3. Thanks so much for sharing this blog! I've been struggling with some of the touchier aspects of vintage-love recently, particularly the idea of that it's nostalgia for an era when racial and cultural insensitivity was the norm. I will definitely start reading Flashback Summer alongside Chronically Vintage in my weekly reading.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for sharing! I am really drawn to the 40's right now all of her outfit posts were lovely and I always enjoy people who write posts based on what intrigues them.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jessica, this is such a great post and Emileigh seems like such a nice person. I love the photos and outfits! It amazes me that she also loves the 10's and 20's decades, but I agree with her that the clothing from that period would be more difficult and expensive to come by. I love the music and clothing from that time. Thanks so much for sharing, dear Jessica!

    ReplyDelete
  6. i´m off to flashback summer.....
    ;-)
    hug you! xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. what an intresting and inspiring interview. thank you emileigh for the inspiring words - and thank you, dear jessica, for the right questions. ;) i really enjoyed reading this post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome, my dear friend - it is my pleasure! The wonderfully positive response that this post (and others like it in the past that I've shared here) has received today has spurred me on to launch a new series in which I interview fellow vintage bloggers, so hopefully they'll be lots more posts akin to this one with different bloggers from around the world for you to enjoy in the future.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  8. I really enjoyed reading this interview. She is so beautiful and stylish.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love Emileigh blog, very interesting!
    She's very creative, I learned a lot of things with her blog!
    And she seems to be a nice and honest girl. She wrote what she really thinks, and not what we want to read, very important!

    Amitiés!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very well said, dear Maud, Emileigh definitely excels at speaking her mind and not being afraid to walk her own path on the vintage blogging front. I think these points will continue to help her blog grow and gain an ever wider readership, while also reminding all of us to think out of side of the usual blogging topic box as well.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your wonderful comment,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
    2. Thank you guys! Speaking my mind can be a little nerve-wracking at times, but I'm glad you guys appreciate it. It's encouraging to my heart!

      Delete
  10. At the risk of sounding slightly ridiculous, this interview made me so happy! It was like my two favorite bloggers where having tea and I got to sit and listen to the conversation.... Thanks for doing this Emileigh and Jessica! :) ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is thoroughly awesome to hear! It's not ridiculous sounding at all, dear Bonita. I love that your eyes lit up, so to speak, when you saw this post that featured Emileigh here on my blog. It (this post) has proven to be a real hit with my readers and has spurred me on to launch a new series of similar (yet always unique) posts with more of my/our fellow vintage bloggers. If you're ever like to be interviewed yourself, please drop me a line and we can take things from there.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  11. Oh goodness! This is quite a post! I also LOVE the idea of bloggers interviewing fellow bloggers! Keep it up!

    xoxo
    -Janey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I really do as well as, sweet Janey, and the awesome responses that this post (and others like in the past have bought) is has inspired me to launch a new series of posts in which I interview fellow bloggers. If you'd ever like to take part in an interview , please don't hesitate to let me.

      Huge hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  12. Thank you, Jessica for this great interview. Emileigh is great and I love her blog. I'm still new to the whole dressing vintage thing so I really loved her advice on getting started.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome, Lisa. I'm happy to know that you got a lot out of this fun interview post. Whenever I'm blogging, I always try to keep those who may be new to some or all aspects of vintage in mind and love getting advice from others in the field on this subject to share here on top of my own thoughts and tips on such things.

      Big hugs & happy Valentine's week wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  13. Great interview. And now I've found a new vintage blog!! Thanks Jessica xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome, dear Debs. I'm absolutely delighted to have introduced you two.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  14. Love the interview and these dresses are stunning! Love, love the first two outfits!
    http://inkandlacedesigns.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wonderful interview with thought provoking questions. I'll check out her blog.
    🌸 ChristyByTheSea 🌸

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great interview! Lovely images of Emileigh. She is such a wonderful person and has a lot of vintage insights to offer and so nice to see her showcased. I look forward to seeing her vintage journey. Hi Emileigh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you sweetly, dear Joanna. I couldn't agree with you more across the board. Emileigh's passion, insight, fashion sense, crafting talents, and sweet nature all make her one seriously fantastic young lady that the vintage community is very fortunate to have in its midst.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
    2. Geez, you guys are so kind! I'm feeling positively warm and fuzzy!

      Delete
  17. Thanks for sharing! Love the pic with the dog!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great pics. I think if I went back in time I would tell myself to stop trying to be like everyone else whose blogs I adored too!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Though I didn't consciously model my blog or approach to blogging on anyone else's (vintage related or otherwise), I think that nearly all new bloggers do take cues at least from those that they admire, as in so many areas of life. It can be a very helpful starting point, but I think what most often helps a blog develop into something that others folk to as well, is when a writer leaps from that point and develops their own voice, style and unique blog.

      Thank you for your lovely comment, dear Holly - have a terrific week ahead!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  19. This is amazing for me to read. Sometimes I feel quite frustrated that my budget doesn't allows me to buy as many vintage pieces that I want but reading her advices (lucky I figured that out already!) and how she worked that out was quite relatable :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi darling gal, I can relate there big time myself. I've always had a modest sized personal spending budget and this year it was slashed by 50% again to try and help make ends meet with our family budget. Here's a post of mine from last May with lots of advice on this very subject (all of which I routinely put into practice myself): http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2014/05/how-to-build-vintage-wardrobe-on-budget.html

      Thank you for your lovely comment on this interview post - sending tons of hugs your way!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  20. What a lovely interview, and such a clever, charming and elegant young lady. I have to check out her blog. She has great style and is really beautiful. Thank you for making this interesting interview with her. And she is so absolutely right, I don't think people understand how much time it takes to maintain a blog. I've taken a tought decision to close mine in March. I've though about it for very long, but it is hard to say goodbye after so many years. I do love Instagram much more, it is so quick and easy to update and follow, so it suits my life much better. It is not point of no return though, so I can start blogging again if I ever feel like it. And I can enjoy the many other lovely blogs in cyberspace, this one being my favourite. Wishing you a lovely weekend, dear. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooohh, Sanne, wow, thank you very much for sharing this breaking (and for me, heartbreaking, too) news. I fully understand that. My blog and shop are each full time jobs. On days when my health (and other circumstances) will permit, I frequently put in 14, 18, sometimes even (seriously) 24 hours of work on them. Both generate income for me, which is certainly part of the reason why I put in the hours that I do, but even when my blog was more of a hobby, I still put in very long workdays (and usually enjoyed it immensely, don't get me wrong, just as I still do - I wouldn't go to such lengths if I didn't). Still, it can be draining and isn't always the best fit for everyone's life at a given moment by any means.

      I will miss your lovely blog, but am relieved to know we'll still be able to stay in touch through Instagram (and our great emails, too, of course). Thank you for the gift of your blog over the years and for all the great posts you shared there with us.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
    2. I knew you would understand, dear. I've thought about writing you an e-mail about it, sharing my thoughts about it, but then I thought again, knowing how many e-mails you get a day. I have been thinking about it for the past 6 months or so. I don't get much followers (in fact I've lost a few the past month), neither comments - yours are the ones that have kept my blog alive for long. I simply love your writing. So the choice was either to revamp my blog, put a lot of energy and time in it, and I even thought about buying a lovely new template, like you did - or close it. Really tough decision. For now I've chosen to stop blogging, and it is kind of a relief, but also strange to say goodbye to something that has been ongoing for so many years. I don't think it is that fun anylonger, and I have long been thinking about if my blog is too mixed, if it should only be about vintage, or what to do. I do have more time now, with my Wednesday off, but I think my creativity is better used on sewing dresses and making bead jools, etc. I have written some planned posts until late March, and then I've written a nice farewell. I hate when people just stop blogging, if I have followed them for long, I always worry if something bad has happened to them. I hope your blog will forever, you are my vintage star, dear. :) (sorry it got so long)

      Delete
    3. My very dear friend, please always, always know that you can write to me whenever you'd like. Messages from friends are certainly not "work" in the slightest and if you're departing the blogging world, then we must use them to stay in contact.

      I fully understand where you're coming from and think that it's wiser to step back if that where you're soul searching has led you. No sense in forcing something that doesn't feel like it's fun/enjoyable to the degree you'd ideally like it to be. There is absolutely nothing that says that we have to blog for our whole lives the just because we started a site. This is such an incredibly new thing in the scope of human history and there's nothing at all wrong with saying "I tried it, I had some fun, but now I feel like moving on" and doing just that.

      You are just the sweetest - and definitely the first person to call me their "vintage star". I'm humbled and honoured. Thank you.

      A sea of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  21. I have seen Emileigh {btw- love how you spell your name, so freakin' cute} around on the blogoshpere {sp?}, and in my own neglect haven't stopped by. This was such a great post. I too love cultural folk dress: German, Irish/Scottish, Egyptian and even Afghani and Indian, aren't the colorful sari's just the neatest???

    ReplyDelete
  22. I enjoyed this interview and you asked really interesting questions. I follow Flashback Summer and it was nice to learn more about Emileigh. Great selection of photos too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet gal - the credit for the photo selection goes to the lovely Ms. Emileigh herself though. I simply asked for an assorted handful of them and she delivered in spades. I tried however, to vary them throughout the post, so as to show the breadth of her fantastic fashion sense.

      Have a fabulous new week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  23. Super interview, love your questions, really seems like you get to know someone's blog before you ask questions, so they're not just 'stock' questions and are really tailored.

    I am relatively new to Emileigh's blog but am loving it so far! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're extremely perceptive, dear Porecelina (I've thought about you for ages, I should mention). I do exactly that and strive to make each interview I've posted here over the years with fellow bloggers, shop owners, and authors all unique in so much as the general scope of the topic at hand would permit.

      Spurred on my the awesome response to this post, I'm going to be launching a new (occasional) series of interviews with fellow vintage bloggers and hope that I continue to deliver that degree of uniqueness in the process. Of course, if you'd ever like to talk shop, so to speak, with me, that would be all kinds of cool and I'd love to feature you in one such post.

      Many thanks & tons of joyful wishes for the new week,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  24. She is not only a doll but also looks like one :)
    Its interesting how she started the blog for the etsy shop and then there's just the blog.
    Sometimes we dont know where our steps will take us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellently said, dear Lorena, that is so true! I had high hopes and certain goals for sure, but I didn't know when I launched my blog nearly six years ago now that it would lead to all the amazing places and life changes that it has. I truly get so excited sometimes to see what's going to happen in that regard next! :)

      Thank you very much for all of your awesome comments this week. I always love hearing from you and hope that these last days of February are treating you well, sweet lady.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete