Woman of Style: Collette Osuna

Mother.

Freelance Writer.
Style Blogger. 

Magazine Editor. 

Fashion plate.

Sweetie pie. 

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Collette Osuna
makes
a Statement

in Fashion 

& says it

with style,

kindness
& sincerity.  

                                              

Collette Osuna is living proof that style doesn't stop at 40. This proud mother, wife, writer,and soon-to-be magazine editor walks the talk when it comes to fashion friendly outfits, which you can see over on her personal blog, Statements of Fashion. 

Collette took time out of her schedule to answer some questions for the Citizen Rosebud.

 

The Citizen: You are a relative new-comer in the blogging world but have been in the fashion industry for 15 years. What did/do you do, and what inspired you start blogging?  

Collette: I'm a freelance fashion writer and model for an amazing Michigan fashion designer, Lesley Anne Designs. I've also been involved in Michigan Fashion Shows and feel that has helped me as a springboard for where I am now today. I've been a freelance writer for many years, and decided to change directions in August of 2010, and focus more on the fashion industry. I've always had a love of fashion from an early age, and decided to follow my passion.

I started my blog as a creative outlet for my freelance writing, as well to show women that style knows "no age".

The Citizen: Did being in the fashion industry help you getting started? Do you have any tips for up and coming bloggers to get noticed quickly?

Collette: Making fashion contacts has been a priceless thing for me. I have been fortunate to have met some amazing, talented people along the way who have helped me with advice, words of wisdom, etc. My best bit of advice to any blogger is to be yourself. I know this phrase gets overused quite frequently, but I cannot stress its importance enough. Far too many times, newer bloggers struggle to find themselves. Keep posting great content and your audience will grow. If you are not "keeping it real", your followers will know.

The Citizen: Not only do you consistently post on your personal blog, Statements in Fashion, but you were assistant editor for Style Sample until it ceased operation, and have taken on a new big project, The Fashion 411 Magazine? Care to tell me about it? 

Collette: I was very sad and disappointed when Style Sample ceased its operations. I respect and admire Tamia (Editor in Chief) for all  her hard work on the magazine and for taking it to such great successes.  Not only was I the News Editor of Style Sample, I was a reader who would get excited just like everyone else when each bi-monthly issue was released.

I realized that our industry needs this type of publication, be it in print or online. We need a "go to" source for the latest and greatest fashion industry news.

The The Fashion 411 will be published bi monthly, and will be written 100% by bloggers. The magazine will have several regular columns including Full Figure Fashion, Women Around the World (focusing on different ethnicities), fashion blogging from a male point of view, The Teen Scene, among many, many more. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes magazine planning going on right now, with updates posted weekly.

The Fashion 411 now has a redesigned blog, Twitter account, and can be followed on Bloglovin as well.

I'm hopeful that the first publication will be debuting within the next 4-6 weeks or so.

The Citizen: I read in a great interview by Katy Rose on Modly Chic that you spend 20 a week on your blog. To me this is incredible, as you produce great posts AND are very active commenting on other peoples blogs. Do you have any time management secrets you'd care to share with other bloggers?

Collette: My best time management tip would have to be to stay ahead of the game. I treat my personal blog as a magazine. I create an editorial calendar of what I want to post, outfits, features etc. and assign it a date. I plan things out as much as possible i.e. Twitter Tuesdays, Friend Friday, 30x30 Remix posts. I do my very best to respond to every reader who visits my blog. My relationship with my readers is very important to me. I value each and every one of their comments:) I have my blogroll set up on my page to post the newest entries first. That makes it easier for me to keep track of the last blog I read, if I need to catch up. It also doesn't hurt that I only require about four hours of sleep per night either, lol.

I follow no fashion rules. I wear what  I like and want, regardless of the current fashion trends. 

The Citizen: What inspires your style? How would you describe your style?

Collette: I find my style inspiration in many places. I love looking through magazines and ripping out pages to file in my "inspiration folder". I get tons of inspiration from everyday people on the street, and of course from all the fab, rocking blogs I visit everyday. I would best describe my style as "unexpected pattern mixing, meets cool colors."

Collette kind of makes looking great look effortless, doesn't she?

The Citizen: Is there a difference in the way you dress now then when you did in your 20's? What's changed?

Collette: I'd say there's a difference! Strangely, I dressed more conservative back in those years! Go figure....I realized along the way who I was. I follow no fashion rules.  I wear what I like and want, regardless of the current fashion trends.

The Citizen: You shared the fact that you lost 40 lbs in March by enrolling in Weight Watchers. First, congratulations, you look fantastic. Was it easy for you? What would you attribute as the key to your weight loss?

Collette: I lost 40 lbs from January to March of 2010. I joined Weight Watchers with my 18 year-old daughter Chloe, and we have been attending weekly meetings ever since.  Chloe is now 3 lbs away from her goal weight, and I couldn't be more proud of her!! It actually was very easy to follow the program. I really watched what I ate, gave up regular soft drinks completely, and became a vegetarian in the process.

I believe being a vegetarian had alot to do with my great success! I have never felt better, and will never go back to my old style of eating.

The Citizen: What are 3 essential must-have items in your wardrobe?

Collette: A leopard scarf, distressed hobo bag and chunky sweaters.

The Citizen: Name 3 bloggers that inspire you.

Collette: Kelly Framel @The Glamourai

                  Bella @The Citizen Rosebud (<-- Looky that's me! -Bella)

                  Folake Huntoon @The Style Pantry

The Citizen: Any predictions on big trends for spring?

Collette: I'm loving what I'm already seeing for Spring....the return of wide leg pants, full skirts and tons of things in Honeysuckle!

The Citizen: Why should we want to read Fashion 411? 

Collette: Because you want to be "in the know". You are interested in reading up and coming blogger interviews, and learn about the latest and greatest online stores and happenings.


The Citizen: Where do you see yourself, and your blog in five years?  

Collette: Still posting outfits and maintaining Statements in Fashion and being Editor in Chief of The Fashion 411 Magazine. Life is good....I'm doing what I love!

The Citizen: What advice do you have for aspiring bloggers?

Collette: Take your time finding your blogging voice and niche. It's not a race for comments or followers. I would much rather have fewer followers who read what I write, than many followers who could care less. Get your feet wet by visiting blogs that interest you, asking questions and making new friends along the way. You are unique, and your readers will appreciate that.

We LOVE Colors! Collette shows how to rock the colored tights from We Love Colors.

You can keep up with Collette by visiting:

Statements in Fashion

Fashion 411