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In Swide's series Meet The Bloggers, we've interview the leading lights of the blogasphere to find out more about what makes them tick. Today's subject is the ultimate dandy James Andrew - named one of the world's best 20 bloggers by the Daily Telegraph and the closest you may get to a modern day Gatsby character.

HOW DID THE IDEA FOR YOUR BLOG START?

 I was enthralled by Kelly Weartler’s book Domicilium Decoratus – Wearstler in couture posing in her fantastic Beverly Hills home - I thought it was the most perfect act of self-promotion I had ever seen and I wanted to do something similar. My flat had already been featured in several magazines and my townhouse acquisition was still in the works, and I felt I was without the appropriate venue - so I tucked the idea away for some more perfect moment. Meanwhile every day when I went to the gym all the guys there would tease - "Hey Jimmy, what are your wearing today???" At some point one of the trainers there remarked, ”You have such amazing style - you should start a blog." I was really reluctant though, and I didn't see the point. Jokingly one day I mentioned the idea to a friend and he thought it was brilliant idea!

So I began to explore the idea of a blog more seriously - I realized it could not be just about what I was wearing - there wouldn't be enough to go on, but thinking back to Wearstler’s book, I allowed myself to imagine dressing in couture with all my favorite things as a back drop - my shops, showrooms, hotels, all the things I love - I thought what a perfect way for people to get a sense of my style, taste, etc. - and as a promotional platform it seemed a blog would be the perfect venue to attract new clients to my design business.

After a very short while I settled on the most perfectly to the point title for the blog, and I got on the phone with my brilliant and very talented friend Alexander Scott www.alexanderscott.com to see how to make this venture a reality.

Artist Alexander Scott and 'What Is James Wearing?' collaborator.

ONLINE IS A WAY OF LIFE – DO YOU OPT FOR A NON-WIFI SPOT IN YOUR SPARE TIME OR IS YOUR SITE ALL CONSUMING?

As much as I enjoying spending time in cyber-space, I'd much rather have a book or a magazine in my hands; to meet people in person; and to experience life in the flesh so to speak.

James Andrew on a shoot with photographer Lars Stephan by Nicholas Turner

WHO IN YOUR OPINION ROCKS THE BLOGASPHERE?

Some of my favs are An Aesthetes Lament, The Peak of chic, Mr Peacock, Fine and Dandy, Lenore-nevermore, and Paul Pincus.

HAVE YOU EVER BLOGGED UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND REGRETTED IT?

I've never actually published anything under the influence - I take WIJW wearing far too seriously and I always devote time to it when I'm still fresh and can actually share something hopefully intelligent and inspirational. Of course I've been known to make notes while in a more, lets say, relaxed mode - but my posts do go through a series of revisions before they hit the net.

James Andrew in front of Halston's former residence.

IS THERE A PERSON YOU'D WISH WOULD START A BLOG?

Yes, my WIJW creative partner, Alexander Scott.

WHAT POST THAT RECEIVED THE BIGGEST HITS ON YOUR SITE OR THAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL?

Two posts come to mind.

July 30, 2009 - our First Year Anniversary Celebration (paper doll) post - Included in the post was a gift to the readers - paper dolls of me in some of my more outrageous outfits from the past year. These went viral and were all over the Internet and still are.

James Andrew paper doll - illustration by Scott McBee.

The December 23, 2008 - Savoring the Moment, special holiday post - a re-creation of a wonderful photograph from a 1948 House and Garden magazine of a gorgeous couple savoring a special moment together before their party guests arrive. I had my beloved Scott McBee join me in the photograph replicating this special moment with my own personal twist.

HOW DO YOU SEE TWITTER IMPACTING BLOGGING?

I did not think it did until I Googled WIJW and found endless conversations about us and so I thought I better start tweeting a bit more!

 
FOR ANY BUDDING BLOGGERS WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE ON MAKING IT WORK?

Blogging is an opportunity to rant about whatever rocks your world. Do exactly what turns you on! We all have a very unique and personal point of view - share that with your audience.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BLOGGER?

My days are wildly busy juggling my roles as both an interior designer and as a blogger - I'm constantly on the lookout for ideas and need to sift through quite a few offers as well. Of course I devote a great deal of time to the logistics of putting a piece together, but I'm doing all of these things because I want to, and I really have fun sharing the best of it on WIJW - so there is a lot of joy in the midst things!

James Andrew by Lars Stephan

Read more from our bloggers series at Meet The Blogger Series: the new blogasphere

With special thanks to James Andrew

Source: James Andrew

Photo Credits: Lars Stephan and Nicholas Turner

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