Style Profile: StyleStruck

This week, in honour of my being on holidays at home in B.C., it's five consecutive days of style profiles featuring some of Vancouver's most fashionable and influential bloggers.

In the final instalment we talk fashion with Olivia of StyleStruck. A fixture on the Vancouver fashion scene, any night of the week you can find Olivia strutting her stuff at one (or more) of the city's most stylish events. Here, she sits down with Petite Adventures and gives us the lowdown on being StyleStruck.

Name: Olivia Jane Lovenmark

Age: 23

Occupation: Entrepreneur, Fashion Blogger

Site: http://www.stylestruck.ca/

When and why did you start your site?

I started blogging in 2009 because I wanted to give myself a reason to stay connected to the fashion industry when I wasn't involved. It's proven to be one of the best thing I've ever done.

How would you describe your site? 

StyleStruck.ca is a site that offers my take on style and life. I love to write and my blog offers up a great platform for sharing my thoughts and ideas. On StyleStruck you'll find a good dose of preppy style mixed in with feminine pieces and some fantastic shoes!

Where do you get your inspiration?

Vogue makes for some brilliant photos, I am very much inspired by the style of photographs in the magazine. I can't say that I'm particularly inspired by any one source, though I do take bits of styling ideas from various fashion bloggers.

Who are your style/beauty icons? 

I adore everything about Natalia Vodianova, the casual styling of Hanneli Mustaparta and the clean femininity Diane Kruger and Camilla Belle. And Camilla Belle has killer eye brows. 

Describe your personal style. 

What was the best style/beauty advice you were given? 

I can't say that I've ever been given any one piece of stand-out advice, my mother always said to take care of my skin because it tells your age, so I try to stay out of the sun and moisturize. I think a good piece of advice for women is to balance their look with dressing for a women and dressing for a man. I understand the love for The Man Repeller and all that goes with that, but I think a woman should look somewhat soft and feminine, like a woman. If you have a piece that is clearly out of The Man Repeller's closet, just pair it with a fitted, silhouette-conscious piece and boom! You've got an outfit for both men and women.

Where are your favourite places to shop? 

Zara, Brooks Brothers, Rag & Bone and Tara Jarmon. Unfortunately those stores are somewhat displaced around the world. 

What are your favourite trends for this season? 

Seventies style flared denim, bright colours for Fall and fur-trim. 

Style/Beauty Pet Peeve? 

Leggings as pants, yoga pants as pants, wide-brimmed floppy hats, socks with high-heeled sandals, flared denim that is too short and a lot of cleavage. *Shudder*

What do you never leave home without? 

My MAC pressed powder, my iPad and my pink leather scheduler. 

What are your five essential items that you think every woman should own? 

A casually chic grey pullover sweatshirt style sweater, aviators, a red wool coat, nude heels and a subtle, nude-ish lipstick - it goes with everything and balances out a dramatic eye.

Where do you see yourself and your site in five years? 

Writing a book and perhaps hosting a TV show. Not joking! Those are my ambitions; besides, we need a new Oprah ;)

I'd say preppy, feminine and somewhat adventurous. I do like trying new things, but within reason. I'd rather style up an outfit with subtle details (like piling on multiple watches), than adding a bigger piece for differentiation, like a floppy hat (which neeed to be over.)

Learn more about Olivia by visiting StyleStruck.ca and don't miss her newest venture, LOVE + MARK'D her first (and very cute) stationary line.

All images courtesy of StyleStruck.