60 seconds with…Natasha Ndlovu

Natasha Ndlovu is a London-based model, photographer and blogger who shares her fashion finds, travels and humor on snowblackblog.com. She studied visual arts in Vancouver, Canada and did a year at Beaux-arts in Paris before moving to England. Find out more about her style, background, visions, style and interests here in “60 seconds with…”

1) You work as a model and photographer, when did you start your own blog?

I started in April 2009 when I first moved to London, in order to go into modeling full time.

What do you share with your readers and followers?

I share pictures of the outfits that I am wearing, as well as places that I go to. I also have a youtube channel, so I have been doing a bit of video posts as well.

How did you choose the name of your blog?

It came about from an episode of America’s Next Top Model. There was a fairytale theme for the shoot and one of the black models had to play the role of Snow White, so she switched it up to Snow Black, which I thought was funny!

Is blogging your passion, profession or both?

I think of it as both because once I started I became addicted to the whole idea of blogging and communicating with the fashion world through my blog. I am now taking a professional approach to the way I blog because working as a model in fashion, you do what you are told at a shoot, whereas with my blog, people get to see the other side of me and what I am about.

You speak a lot of languages – including Ndebele (I admit I had to look it up, in which region it is spoken) How is your relation to Africa?

I love languages. Ever since going to international schools as a kid I wanted to travel to the places and learn the language of that area, and all this has helped a lot with traveling and living abroad. I was fortunate this year to travel to South Africa three times to see my family. I don’t speak Ndebele to anyone in London and being back home was fun because for once I could switch off English and speak mostly in Ndebele. Friends say my accent sounds deeper in my mother tongue.

Does your connection to Africa have any impact on your work as a blogger?

It does but it is something I may not take into account as much as the other person reading my blog or observing me. I blog mainly about western or European things but I am still that girl from Zimbabwe / South Africa with the last name that is difficult to pronounce! I wish I could blog more about my continent, it is just that my work and time spent is here in England.

Where do you get the ideas for your blog posts?

I am usually inspired by what I am wearing. For example, my Carven skirt has a huge cloud on it which reminded me of the volcanic ash incident in Iceland, so I titled the post eyjafjallajökull after the name of the volcano. Designers get their inspiration from what’s around them, so to me this was one way.

About what would you never write?

I would never write any hate speech. If I don’t like something or someone, that is my opinion. I am not trying to open up any debates within fashion, there are plenty of good sites for that. For me, my blog is a personal diary of positive things and experiences.

Has blogging changed your relationship to fashion? If so, how?

I have become more “fashion conscious” as they say. I look at my wardrobe more carefully in terms of buying things that will last for a long time or that I can re-work with other pieces if I did an outfit post. It has also made me pay attention to industry people. Before it was about the clothes, now I want to know who particular individuals are in the fashion industry.

What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

The writing part. I like to keep is short and sweet and try to add some humor into it whenever I can. I also enjoying the process of taking pictures, because I get to role play a bit and conduct my own little photo shoot.

What makes a successful post?

To me, it is a combination of good pictures, taken in an inspiring environment, as well as good writing. Sometimes we write too little or too much about nothing interesting, but the few times you get a well-written post, even if it is not fashion related, you will notice it in people’s comments.

Which other blogs do you read on a regular basis?

I love The Blonde Salad, Fashion Toast, Meek-n-Mild, as well as blogs like Knight Cat which don’t have writing but have good images.

What was your first contact with the fashion industry?

It was when I was 14 and got scouted in the mall with my mom. I used to watch a bit of fashion on tv and thought modeling was a world away in Europe, then one day a modeling agent came up to me and I thought oh my gosh, she probably knows Naomi Campbell !

You lived in many different cities. For you, what is the world´s most fashionable city?

London, in my opinion is the world’s most fashionable city. It is also a city that allows people
to be experimental with what they wear. If you want to dress posh as the English say or grungy, then you can do that and no one blinks an eyelid because London is a city that is accepting of different people.

What are your “must haves” of the moment?

The Rita jacket by Acne is a must have because it is stylish and warm and as an aviator jacket, it will be one’s wardrobe for years to come. A snakeskin oversized clutch is another must have. If you are not brave enough to wear a snakeskin dress, blouse, pants, etc, then an clutch is a great way to go about it.

Do you prefer online or “real-life” shopping?

I love both. I used to fear online shopping because I dreaded seeing a product potentially photoshopped to death and not looking or fitting the same once I received it in the post. But the fun of going to a department store and coming out with shopping bags filled with goodies is also a great experience. Just avoid Oxford Street on weekends if you want to enjoy shopping.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not blogging?

I am currently working on a project with a friend which is keeping me busy and also doing modeling, studying Russian and traveling. I also love doing photography. I am constantly taking photos with all my cameras, even my iPhone.

Your first thought in the morning?

Tea with lemon !

Tic Tac…60 seconds are up! Thank you, Natasha!