Cara McLeay: Fashion blogging in Vancouver

Blogger and fashion buyer Cara McLeay.

Cara McLeay has loved fashion since she was young, so she’s taken her passion and put all her efforts into making a career in the field. She started her blog, A Fashion Love Affair, in 2011, and works as a Senior Buyer for Secret Location.

McLeay has made her name known in the world of fashion, meeting fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel. She’s travelled to fashion weeks around the world, in locations such as Paris, London, Milan and New York, while making it clear that Vancouver will always be her home.

McLeay has made her hard work pay off, being featured on Rachel Zoe’s blog and in magazines such as LouLou, Lucky, Fashion Vancouver and Harper’s Bazaar.

Megan Renaud: What got you interested in fashion?

Cara McLeay: I have always been interested in fashion since as long as I can remember. I really started to get into it in high school when I discovered vintage shopping and playing with clothing to stand out from the crowd.

MR: How did you make yourself known in the world of fashion?

CM: I began my blog in 2011 and that definitely brought me into the fashion world. There is a huge blogger community in Vancouver, which was really helpful, and by reading blogs I connected with bloggers, brands and companies on a global scale, as everything is online, so is accessible from anywhere.

MR: Your blog was featured by Rachel Zoe, a famous celebrity stylist, designer and reality show star, as one of her weekly blogger crushes, how was that?

CM: Rachel Zoe and her team are all very sweet and really easy to work with. They approached me to be featured and sent along an interview and a couple of her clothing pieces to wear on my blog. It was a really fun, exciting experience.

MR: You won the “Fabulous at Every Age Contest” (a contest that celebrates stylish women, no matter what age they are) with Harper’s Bazaar. Can you explain that experience?

CM: Winning the Harper’s Bazaar “Fabulous At Every Age” Contest was my favourite experience I have had with my blog thus far…it was unreal. Getting sent to New York, getting all made-up and dressed in Prada and Givenchy and then hanging out with some of my fashion icons, including Joanna Hillman and Glenda Bailey, was such a wonderful experience.

MR: Your work and blog … how do you juggle everything?

CM: I am very busy. I work full-time and run my blog, which requires many, many hours. I love both my job and blog, however, so everything I am doing is something I want to do. It all makes me happy. But I certainly need to take some time away from everything to recharge and get re-inspired.

MR: How do you come about these amazing opportunities such as London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week?

CM: I am invited to fashion weeks as both a blogger and as a buyer since I am the Senior Buyer at Vancouver Concept Store, Secret Location.

MR: Since you’ve attended fashion weeks such as London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, how would you describe the two?

CM: Fashion week is an amazing time and very different in each city. The fashion style varies in each city, and the focus differs as well. New York and London are similar, actually, as they are both extremely busy and host countless events and runway shows. You can certainly fill your entire day with events if you want to. Many brands, companies, bloggers and celebrities attend New York Fashion Week, more than any other city, I find. However, New York, London, Milan and Paris, of course, attract quite a crowd.

MR: Being able to travel to all these fashion savvy places must be very eye-opening. Why have you decided to stay in Vancouver?

CM: Yes, everyone should travel, it definitely brings inspiration and creativity. I love it! But I am very proud to be a Canadian, and love Vancouver. I love to swim, paddleboard, hike and snowboard, so Vancouver is ideal for me. I love travelling but coming home is the best. I also find that the fashion industry is really growing in Vancouver, and as a blogger, it really doesn’t matter where you are from as it all happens online.

MR:  How would you describe Vancouver style and fashion?

CM: Vancouver style and fashion is evolving. I feel that people are learning more about quality and are becoming more playful. There is certainly a small fashion community in Vancouver, however as it is such a healthy, active community, we still wear a ton of sneakers, workout gear and outdoor gear day-to-day. There is a mix. There are more and more options popping up for fashionistas in Vancouver. Secret Location is a great example, offering cutting-edge pieces. Menswear is actually really wonderful in Vancouver. We have some well-dressed gentlemen here.

MR: Going through your blog it’s evident that you mix a lot of high-end pieces, such as Chanel and Céline, with more accessible pieces such as American Eagle and Old Navy. What makes the mixing of these designers work so well?

CM: I am a big believer in the hi-lo mix. I certainly can’t have designer pieces from head to toe, but I appreciate the design and quality of them, of course. I save for a few special pieces and for my day-to-day pieces I love brands like American Eagle and Zara. I especially want my readers to find my blog accessible, so wearing some affordable yet fun pieces is a must for me.

MR: Can you describe your style?

CM: My style is West Coast, laid-back, girly. Comfort is most important to me, so all of my outfits are wearable while still being fun and playful. I love prints and colours. I love to have fun with fashion.

MR: What is your go-to outfit?

CM: My go-to outfit is either boyfriend jeans, a tank and boots, or flats with a leather jacket or a little sundress, depending on the weather.

MR: What advice would you give aspiring fashion bloggers?

CM: Blogging is a commitment. There are certainly a lot of perks, but for new bloggers, I would say, be ready to spend a lot of time making your blog something you are proud of. It doesn’t happen overnight, so stay true to yourself and your style, make sure your content is consistent and interesting, and most importantly, a reflection of you. Your blog is your brand, so what do you want your brand to say?

MR: What can we expect to see upcoming on your blog?

CM: Lots! I have been blogging now for just over two years, so I am currently working on updating the look (to be launched later this month). I will also be offering a shopping aspect on A Fashion Love Affair. I have teamed up with Mode to create A Fashion Love Affair styling irons that will be launching in November. So there will be a lot of hair tutorials and beauty tutorials coming up as well.