Blogger of the Moment: Natalie Off Duty
We sat down with Natalie Suarez, the style and brains behind NYC-based fashion blog Natalie Off Duty, and chatted about all things music, fashion, blog inspiration, morning routines and her transition from LA to NYC!Ā
What was your blogger journey? Why and how did you start and when did you feel like you had āmade it?ā
When I started my blog over 6 years ago, I was looking for a place to share my inspirations, creativity, and work. Iām a model, and so I have been working since the age of 15 in my hometown of Los Angeles. My agency then brought me to live here in NYC 4 years ago. I never ended up leaving the Big Apple! Ever since Iāve been working with some of the top brands in the industry, I immediately fell in love with stand-out fashion, photography, and design. My style had always been very āmodel off duty.ā NATALIE OFF DUTY was born, based on that effortless, on-the-go, way of dressing. I guess as a model, you really had to stand out on your own to make it. Style was my way of standing out. I definitely steer towards the eclectic, rock nā roll bohemian vibe that comes from my LA roots. With NATALIE OFF DUTY, I bring my camera wherever I go for work. It could be an island where Iāll be shooting a campaign, or capturing what Iām wearing on an āoff dutyā day around the downtown streets of NYC. I love to tell a story, and hopefully inspire those who read my site through beautiful images and words.Ā
NATALIE OFF DUTY really began as a place to showcase my workā¦.posting behind-the-scenes of whatever photoshoot I was onā¦to eventually becoming a lot more personal: focusing a lot on my style, what I love, my travels, and what inspires me. With NATALIE OFF DUTY, I not only work in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as wellā¦in styling, and working on creative projectsā¦whether it be music, dance, modeling, or everything combined at once. Itās amazing that I got to grow as a model with my blog, yet also grow so much more creatively in that I have to come up with my own content. Being a blogger opened up so many doors that traditional modeling couldnāt. Collaborating with brands that Iāve always photographed with, but in a completely new way. Itās incredible getting to take a brand that I love and really make it my own. Getting to shoot it for the blog in my own editorial way. The blog really keeps fashion fun, and new for me everyday. I work a ton with my older sister, Dylana Suarez and we are definitely a sister duo. Everyday weāre coming up with ideas on how to shoot something or get our vision across. Weāre constantly creating new content and always being super true to who we are. Itās incredible having your best friend, and other half work with you so closely on something you both love. The amazing thing about blogging is you can post whatever you want. Whatever youāre feeling, capturing a mood, and making a beautiful image. I live for the art of that. And it comes across so easily with just a few words and stunning imagery.
My career definitely grew with social media. I was on the bandwagon early on. I guess I really felt that people were watching when one of my favorite brands asked me to be on the cover of their catalogā¦not just as a model but as myself. People in the industry started reaching out to me directly, presenting me with creative opportunities. Itās awesome having that sort of respect level. Tons of collaborations began, and Iām thankful so many of my readers have joined me on this crazy, life-changing journey.
What do you think was important to your success?Ā
The most important key to success is being honest and true with yourself. I guess I always just went with wherever my heart took me. And just getting creative and having fun with every project, and putting my heart and soul in whatever Iām working on.
What are your fashion inspirations?Ā
Iām so inspired by music. My style, my photography, my writing. I love The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin. I love rock nā roll. Itās effortless and crazy and thatās what I love about it. If I didnāt work in fashion, Iād be a singer.
How would you describe your style?
My style is very eclectic. But I still love my classics. Iām always mixing prints and patterns. I guess you could say Iām a bit rock nā roll, but a bit bohemian and earthy. My style is inspired by my travels, and how someone would pack for traveling. I like looking a little bit messy.Ā
What do you think is the future of fashion bloggers?Ā
I feel that blogs will always exist. But as for fashion blogging, I feel like the key to being successful in having a blog is starting one for the right reasons. Fashion blogging is amazing in the sense that you can share whatever you want and feel inspired by an image or writing. I know that many girls want to blog as a career, but itās important to just stay true to who you are. With social media and Instagram, sometimes it seems like everyone is out there to portray a perfect lifestyle. With blogging and social media, sometimes it does feel like thereās some superficial aspect of our lives we put out there. We want to give out a positive vibe with positive feedback. But itās so important not to lose that authenticity of what you put out there. Itās all about putting out good quality work, and continue to put out something raw, real, and authentic. Nobodyās perfect, and so in fashion blogging (where everything and everyone seems perfect) itās hard not to strive for that. I feel those raw and genuine people who blog and share their stories will stick out from the pack. No matter what youāre blogging/photographing/writing about, the community online itself will help you meet tons of people who are interested in the same things as you! And because we have such a large outreach and wide audience, weāre lucky to have amazing work opportunities and collaborations come to us, but itās important to stick to why youāre blogging in the first place. I always stick to reading the blogs that I feel are authentic and where the quality of the work is just incredible and inspiring. Thatās what I aspire to.Ā
For the future of fashion blogging, it changes as we grow older. Who knows if we will still want to share our outfits, photos, and personal lives. As you grow older, you can definitely grow your blog into something bigger and meaningful. But it is still honestly one of the best outlets out there for aspiring women/men who want to work in fashion.Ā
Whatās the most important feature for a blog to have to catch your eye?Ā
I love when a blog gives off a mood. Beautiful photos and amazing writing. Blogs that are authentic and tell a story.Ā
What are your favorite iPhone apps?
Instagram because itās addictive. Videofyme because itās an easy and amazing way to make gorgeous video clips. Whatsapp so I can connect to my friends from all over the world. Snapchat because I can be my goofy self in front of hundreds of thousands of people.Ā
How has moving from California to New York affected you as a fashion blogger?Ā
My style definitely changed a little bit. You have to adjust to the crazy east coast weather! But the craziest thing is how influential NYC bloggers really are. When I was working in LA, blogging wasnāt as big yet. I feel it really did start in NYC. I was modeling here, and eventually there were about a million blogger projects going on. It was another reason for me to stay and work in NYCā¦I could do both. I do miss shooting out in the open fields and beautiful sunshine in California though! Here, we donāt have such luxurious weather, so sometimes you just have to get creative indoors.Ā
What are some of your favorite blogs?
We are 365 is one of my favorite blogs because the two sisters, Mira and Thilda, remind me of my sister Dylana and Iā¦and we both blog as well. They are super bohemian and super talented. I love their photography and wild adventures. Another blog I love and follow is Charcoal Alley. Sheās an artist and painter. She posts on occasion, and when she does, I fall in love with her site all over again. Every one of her posts gives off a mood, and I always leave inspired. And of course, I love DYLANA/SUAREZ. Sheās my older sister and one of my main inspirations. We do everything together, and sheās taught me everything I know about photography, music, design, all from when we were little and always dreaming. Sheās a super talented writer, and she can spend hours writing a post that can make you cry or laugh. She isnāt afraid to be vulnerable in front of her readers. She the realest, most raw girl I know.Ā
Whatās a typical weekend for you, nightlife or Netflix?Ā
Nightlife for sure. Netflix for the weekdays! I canāt stop watching Bates Motel!Ā
What does your morning routine look like?Ā
Make a giant pot of coffee, check my emails, and plan out my day. Every day for me is different!
Whatās the one thing you never leave home without?Ā
My extremely old iPod and headphones. Itās packed with music, old and new. It makes walking the city so much more enjoyable.Ā
Any songs that you canāt stop listening to?Ā
"Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie, "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns nā Roses, "The Morning" by The Weeknd, and "Trick or Treat Dancefloor" by Cherry Glazer.Ā
Thanks so much, Natalie!
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All Photos by Brandon OsorioĀ for Bloglovinā













