Force To Be Reckoned With: Fashion Blogger Leanne Woodfull

September 5, 2012
By: Michaella Kossakowska

Having a successful fashion blog that stands out and doesn’t get lost in the mêlée of blog entries about outfit of the day, product reviews, and event coverage is difficult. However, Dublin based blogger Leanne Woodfull, creator of Thunder+Threads (http://thunderandthreads.blogspot.com), has managed to succeed on the fashion blogging platform and definitely knows how to march to the beat of her own drum.

She has described her personal style as “eclectic” finding inspiration from various mediums such as film, art, and music, however she states “My main inspiration style-wise would be the 1940s and 50s, The Addams Family, Japanese street style, bands and historical figures such as Anne Boleyn and Marie Antoinette.” Leanne is not only well known because of her blog, but also through her constant interaction and creative posts on YouTube and Tumblr.

Here, Leanne takes some time to answer a couple of questions for HerUni.com.

HerUni.com: What is your daily routine like?

Leanne Woodfull: I wake up, wash, pop the kettle on and have a mug of green tea whilst checking for updates on my websites. I then either blog or share a new video I’ve uploaded. I usually head out into town to hang around with friends, and work on projects. I find a lot of my inspiration comes from just people watching and exploring new places.

HerUni.com: Given your growing popularity as an independent blogger, do you think it will be a challenge to continue expanding based on the shockingly high number of “bloggers” coming onto the online writing scene?

LW: Definitely. In 2011, there was such a boom of bloggers arriving on to the scene. In Ireland, the blogging world is fairly new and being excluded from certain aspects in the area does occur. It can be frustrating trying to get noticed amongst a pool of like-minded bloggers trying to do the same, but you just have to stick to what you believe in and work hard.

HerUni.com: Do you ever plan on doing a university course on either fashion or journalism? Or would you rather continue developing your career as a blogger and online persona?

LW: I do plan on studying a fashion course next year. I have a major operation planned for the end of this year, which unfortunately has put any college plans on halt for the time being. I hope to study abroad, and to do a course surrounding fashion and the media. I’d love to work on tv or on radio, not just behind a computer screen!

HerUni.com: Do you have any internships in your CV?

LW: Tons! Interning is the best way to gain experience in the fashion world. I’ve worked for a ton of places including Irish teen magazines, to PR companies, to fashion festivals. Apply for a load of things, and put the effort in. it all pays off when you have a list of experience to boast about on your CV!

HerUni.com: Have you ever faced moments where you doubted yourself and what you were doing and just want to give up? If so, what drove you to continue? What kind of tips can you offer to those that are struggling with self-doubt in their careers?

LW: Constantly. I have “blanks”, as I like to call them. Where you feel like every ounce of enthusiasm and inspiration has been sucked out of you. I’ve sometimes thought about giving it all up, due to either negativity or being such a small fish, in a big pond. You just have to take a step back, focus on something else for a while and come back with extra enthusiasm and positivity. Everybody starts off somewhere, and struggles at some point in their lives. You have to learn how to take it on the chin and sometimes allow yourself some time off and a break. There’s nothing worse than your passion becoming a chore, not a hobby or something you love doing. If the fun has gone out of it, take a break!

HerUni.com: With LFW coming up, which shows are you looking forward to the most?

LW: I’m dying to see Simone Rocha’s show again. I met her at LFW back in February, and was literally in awe of everything I saw at her show. She’s definitely one to watch, she’ll be huge. It’s so fantastic seeing an Irish gal do so well across the pond!

HerUni.com: Who’s your favourite designer?

LW: My favourite designers can often change season to season, but there’s a few I’ve loved consistently for years; Balmain, Moschino, MiuMiu, Dolce & Gabbana, Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Simone Rocha, Gareth Pugh, the list goes on and on!

HerUni.com: Is there anything that you disagree with or find disappointing in today’s fashion industry?

LW: I find a lot of things disappointing in the fashion industry, especially in Ireland. It’s definitely one of the tougher industries to delve into; you experience a lot of fakeness and bitchiness, which you have to expect and ignore when it does come around. Ireland in particular is improving, but I do find the Irish fashion industry is somewhat stuck in a rut in its own bubble. There’s not as much experimentation here, as there is in say London or New York. You see a lot of the same stuff over and over in the industry, although as I said previously, it definitely is starting to improve over the last two years or so.

HerUni.com: What would be your dream job?

LW: I’d love to work in a fashion magazine, it’s where I can really visualise myself thriving. Whether it be fashion assisting, writing, running around doing errands, it definitely would be my ideal setting.

HerUni.com: How do you choose your daily outfits? Is there anything that inspires you in the selection process?

LW: I never plan my outfits, they usually just happen. I haven’t worn the same outfit since I was about 14/ 15, and find that by mixing and matching pieces up, you can come up with a completely new outfit every time you can get dressed. I often think of certain characters when getting dressed, basing my outfits around a character or type of persona. For example, if I was wearing a lot of black lace, leather, spikes etc.. I would envision a rock and roll Wednesday Addams character in my head and work around that!

HerUni.com: Finally, what’s next for Thunder+Threads?

LW: At the moment all I can say is I hope to build even more experience up and hopefully get into a fantastic fashion college course next year. I want to expand THUNDER + THREADS of course, but I want to put my head down and think of a thorough plan before I say anything yet. After my operation who knows what the future will bring, but for now all I can do is work hard and hope to inspire as many young girls as I can!