This week we chatted with Justine Iaboni of Jetset Justine to find out the story behind her new blog and her latest obsessions.
What inspired you to start Jetset Justine?
Well, as one of my followers said it best: “Whatever Eurotrash was about a journey, an aspiration, going somewhere. With Jetset Justine, you’ve arrived.”
After four years nurturing and evolving with my first fashion blog, Whatever Eurotrash, I thought it was time to re-brand and take my career to the next level. The inspiration to start Jetset Justine was to share my style, my writing and my whole outlook on life with my readers.
How long has Jestset Justine been around?
Four months! She is still a baby.
How did you come up with the name “Jestset Justine”?
I wanted to keep the spirit of Eurotrash alive with the new blog, but upgrade it to something a bit more sophisticated. Since the jet-set lifestyle is all about understated luxury, fashion and travel it stood out as the winner when my boyfriend and I were brainstorming new names for the blog. And the alliteration with my own name, Justine, made it just perfect.
What is your must-have piece for summer and why?
This summer I cannot wait to get my hands on a white shirtdress. It was my favourite piece from the spring runway shows like Alexander Wang, Lacoste, Balenciaga, Nina Ricci – I fell in love with the idea of wearing a crisp shirt with some sort of ankle boot or Birkenstock.
What kind of look are you going for this season?
I am trying to streamline my closet and simultaneously add more colour, prints and textures this season. Probably two opposing currents but such is the fate of those with an eclectic sense of style. I’m sure many woman can relate!
World MasterCard Fashion Week is quickly approaching. What shows are you most excited to see?
I am most excited to see Farley Chatto, Pink Tartan, Matthew Gallagher, Sid Neigum, Vawk, Soia & Kyo, Rudsak and Mélissa Nepton, off the top of my head. I would say I’m most excited for Farley’s show as I’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak peek at his FW14 collection, and all I can say is that it is going to be absolutely spectacular.
Style icon of the moment?
Oh dear, it’s like picking your favourite child. Of the moment, I’m going with Anna dello Russo.
Top three magazines or blogs you love to read?
The New Yorker, Refinery 29 and The Business of Fashion.
Who or what inspires you?
I would say Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad inspires me. She is the first blogger I started following back in 2009 and her journey has been such a source of inspiration to keep going and proof that blogs can lead to incredible opportunities. She is a pioneer of the fashion blogging industry.
Most memorable moment of Jetset Justine?
The most memorable moment of Jetset Justine was a few weeks ago. I arrived at the first event of fashion season here in Toronto, after a long period of hibernation, and all my friends and peers in the industry were there. I was taken aback by how many of them were excited for Jetset Justine, had been following my progress and were just so supportive of this new endeavour. It was an amazing feeling to get such a positive response from the people I respect the most.
Best advice you would give to an aspiring blogger?
This is a business of constant rejection, I would say 90% of the time you’re getting rejected. It’s also a competitive business driven by comparison. Those two things can be devastating if you let them take hold of you. I have learned to be happy for others and at the same time, really try not to compare myself to others. The best advice I can give an aspiring blogger would be: Don’t take another person’s success as YOUR failure.
All photo credits are Alexander Liang
