SOCIAL & CREATIVE CAREERS MASTERCLASS – WITH ABI MARVEL
Thinking about a career in blogging, social or magazines? We’ve got a sneak preview from blogger, Abi Marvel. Abi will be hosting a masterclass in the Vodafone Lounge at Vodafone London Fashion Weekend.

How did you get started blogging?
I grew up around computers, so it was a natural progression from creating my first website when I was eleven to starting a blog at thirteen. I started abimarvel.com when I was sixteen.

Why did you start your blog?
In April 2008, just as I was starting my GCSEs, I got the fashion bug. I read all the major magazines and started interning when I was thirteen. I knew I wasn’t going to be writing for a magazine aged sixteen, at school and living in Milton Keynes, so I decided to start my blog. It was a way of getting my voice heard and making things happen.

Any tips for Edit readers interested in getting into blogging?
Be different, I know that super hard but if you’re going into it for the right reasons, really try to find your voice, your style and the reason why people should be visiting your site. The industry is quite saturated now but if you’re genuinely great and put yourself out there by networking etc, you’ll do well!

What makes a good blog / post / tweet?
Blog – It’s about layout, the way it's styled - fun and honest content. Personally I love great imagery!
Post - Keeping your posts simple, straight forward and really visual. Again this is a personal preference.
Tweet - I tend to like funny/sarcastic tweets like the @GSElevator. I also love when someone is able to capture a whole moment or story in just 140 characters. It’s a skill to be concise and witty.

What are your current favourite blogs?
Gary Pepper Girl - Mind blowing pictures and amazing style
Park & Cube - Fun, witty content and super cool photography
Cocos Tea Party & Fashion Foie Gras - All the fashion news, I need to know plus great shopping pieces!

What do you think the attraction of blogs are?
I think it started off as being how supposedly real and honest they were. That’s what it was at first but now I think there’s a cult element, in the sense that readers get closer to the bloggers and genuinely want to know what they’re up to, what they think etc.

What other social media do you use and why?
Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Pinterest is so important in my life and work as a blogger. It’s the place for coming up with ideas, thinking about concepts etc. I also like YouTube because video content is really important.

Predictions for the future of blogging?
That everyone will have to become hybrids. Being a blogger won’t be enough, you’ll have to be able to do other things like styling, photography, presenting etc. And not just for fun but actually in a professional capacity. I just don’t think there will be room for people who just upload their outfits to a site multiple times a week.

My look is…
Simple yet sporadic. I love a nice colourful midi skirt, with a simple, cream jumper or t-shirt and kitten heels or a slogan jumper, with black skinny jeans and Superga’s. It’s a bit of everything really.

My favourite item is…
Currently scuba skirts from ASOS. I have them in red & peach. I don’t have permanent favourite items though. They change weekly..

The designers I’m coveting for 2014 are…
They’re not necessarily new but they’re great. I always look forward to what Ashish, Jonathan Saunders and Emilia Wickstead will be showing.
Ashish - I love sequins and he always comes up with a new fun theme, so it's constantly exciting to see what he has planned.
Jonathan Saunders - I just love everything he does so am always excited to see his latest collection
Emilia Wickstead - Literally clothes I would take straight from the catwalk and wear. Her designs are super pretty and would all be perfect additions to my wardrobe.

If I could have one item for SS14, it would be…
It would be the 6th look from the Emilia Wickstead show. It’s an incredible blue dress.