Fashion Interview: Caroline Topperman
Chris Glabb from Christopher’s Fashions interviews incredible fashion blogger, Caroline Topperman from www.styleontheside.com
Caroline Topperman is a Canadian fashion and beauty blogger who is currently living in Poland, obsessively discovering the most beautiful bags, shoes, jjewelleryand makeup the world has to offer through a journey of striking textures, fabrics and colours:
I have always loved writing and I decided to pursue this passion by earning a Fine Arts degree in screen-writing. One of the screenplays which I edited won award at Barcelona, New York and Vancouver film festivals. As a teenager, I learned photography on my father’s old Rolleiflex. Since then I have upgraded to a Nikon DSLR, but analog film will always be my first love. The arts in general have always been near and dear to my heart and I also spent many years training in dance, which included performing at a professional level.
I speak English, Polish and French fluently. I have traveled extensively through Europe and have great familiarity with its many different cultures, architecture, arts and design. From Morocco to Poland and everywhere in between, I discovered how much fun accessories can be and since then they have played a large role in my life. I then put theory into practice by managing and designing storefronts for a boutique bags and accessories store in a prestigious Toronto shopping district.
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Chris: Who is your fashion inspiration? When did you discover them? And how?
Caroline: My fashion inspirations have come into my life at different stages. They first began at home with my mom and my grandmother. They were both strong women who loved beautiful clothes. My classic inspirations would be Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn. If we are looking for modern day fashion icons, I’m a huge fan of Rachel Zoe not only because I love what she wears but also because I love that she’s built an empire around it.
Chris: I envy that you had fashion icons as a kid, because growing up, I didn’t really know what fashion, style or trends were. I was that kid who wore a blue t-shirt on plaid, green shorts… Not good! Not to mention that nobody in my family was really a “style” person back then. My mom is a black shirt, and jeans kinda gal, and the rest of my fam: the same.
Chris: What inspired you to create your own website?
Caroline: Good question. I’ve always loved writing (I have a degree in screenwriting) and I’ve always loved the idea of putting images to my words. In addition, after years of personal training people, I got used giving advice and helping others. So it seemed like a natural progression to start my own site.
Chris: -This, is sooo inspiring! And the perfect reason to start a blog! I mean, why not share your thoughts with the world, and get a few fans out of the deal? Also, you CLEARLY have some killer talent, so why the heck not?-
Chris: What is your most causal daily go-to outfit?
Caroline: I work from home so I (sadly) don’t usually dress up. My go-to outfit are skinny jeans and a comfy tee.
Chris:-Why not? I mean, work and be comfortable too? It’s a win-win situation!-
Chris: Which fashion magazine is your favourite?
Caroline: InStyle and Vogue are the first to come to mind but now that I’m living in Poland I’ve come to really enjoy reading Polish Elle.
Chris: -I just Googled Polish Elle Magazine, and they are soo trendy! Why is Europe so ahead of the fashion industry than North America?-
Chris: What are the differences in fashion trends between Canada and Poland?
Caroline: I could probably write a whole essay on this topic! Let’s start with Vancouver (where I lived for 13 years) and Warsaw. Whereas Vancouver is workout wear and very casual, Warsaw is a lot more dressed up.
Toronto (where I grew up) is more sophisticated. They get a lot of their style influence from New York. Warsaw, where I’m currently living, has pretty much all the same big chain stores as North America. For example, I just recently bought jeans from American Apparel.
Chris: -Toronto is literally an hour away from where I live! I’d love to spend all my time there! And, I had noo idea anywhere outside The States and Canada had American Apparel! They’re literally my go-to for pants! (Not to mention how she looks so perfect standing there in my American Apparel underwear!)-
Chris: Which is more classy: an all-white outfit or an all-black outfit? And why?
Caroline: I think it depends on the event and the outfit, but if pressed then I’m going to say all white. The way I see it is that all white is more unexpected than black and you always want to standout.
Chris: -I’m thinking you should talk to Ellen DeGeneres… Did you see her People’s Choice Outfit? I think she has more swag than Justin Bieber. I see all white becoming a huge trend in 2015. You just wait.-
Chris: -So that’s it! I’d like to give a huge thanks to Caroline for this interview and Marianne for setting this up!
