Über Exclusives: Überchic Gets an Exclusive Interview w/Claire Sulmers of the Fashion Bomb

Uberchic is super excited to be starting our very own Uber Exclusives. Check out our very first interview, a Q&A session with Claire Sulmers, Editor-In-Chief of Fashionbombdaily.

This past weekend we had a chance to have girl talk with the creator of one of the best urban fashion and beauty blogs in the business. We laughed, we listened, and then we laughed some more as the fashionista shed some light on her daily errands, favorite fashion must haves, and what she likes to eat on her days off.

Uberchic: What’s an average day for Claire?
Claire: I wake up at 8:30 check the blog, check my email and try to blog every hour until 2 pm. During the evening time I attend press events.

Uberchic: Did you attend college, where & what did you study?
Claire: I attended Harvard and majored in French and African American studies.

Uberchic: When did your interest in fashion begin?
Claire: I’ve always loved clothes since I was a young girl. My mom made clothes for me and my grandfather was a tailor. I fell into fashion writing during my first internship at Upscale Magazine after graduating from college. Originally I wanted to write on politics but the only opening was in the fashion & beauty department.

Uberchic: Do you have a favorite designer?
Claire: Frida Giannini at Gucci, love the colors in their spring collection. The collection is sexy and powerful.

Uberchic: Do you have a closet must have?
Claire: I really love my YSL Muse Bag, it’s big and silver. I like anything metallic-- it goes with anything.

Uberchic: Since the start of your blog what do you feel is your biggest accomplishment?
Claire: One of the biggest ones was moving to Paris unplanned. I stayed there for 2 years while interning with Paris Vogue.

Uberchic: Where do you see the Fashion Bomb in the next five years?
Claire: I can see it becoming more like an online magazine with several contributors, video components and various celebrity shoots. I just have to find time to do that but we’ll see hopefully.

Uberchic: Speaking of the Fashion Bomb are you currently working on any new projects for it?
Claire: I want to launch a lifestyle website. I bought the URL and have a Twitter name for it but that’s To Be Announced! The site will be about fashion, art, and music--just beautiful things all in one place. I definitely think the site will be for an older audience more sophisticated and upscale.


Uberchic: Who would you say inspires you the most?
Claire: I look to other bloggers as inspiration and I love Angel of Concreteloop, Necole Bitchie, Natasha of the YBF those women work hard. They run quality websites, have great traffic and are definitely doing amazing things.

Uberchic: Who would you say is your ideal celebrity best friend and why?
Claire: Solange Knowles, I had a chance to hang out with her when I went to Coachella this year and she is just so cool and down to Earth and I think we would be really good friends. I also really like Rihanna, she is gorgeous and dresses really well, obviously. She’s very sassy I think she’ll be very fun to hang out with.


Uberchic: So do you have any tattoos?
Claire: Yeah I have two tattoos. I have Faith on my left wrist and Hope on my right wrist. Now that I’m working for myself I really want a nose ring this summer.


Uberchic: If you could give advice to any of your followers about inner beauty what would it be?
Claire: It’s not just about the products you use on your skin it’s about what you eat, drink lots of water. As far as inner beauty just be nice to everyone.

Uberchic: Do you have some words of inspiration for any upcoming bloggers that are trying to break into the fashion industry?
Claire: I’d say just don’t give up. I have journals dating back to when I was 16. Every blogger that you see that’s doing something amazing they study it. Study and do your work look to other bloggers for inspiration and see what works for them, and how you could do something similar but don’t copy them. Do something that speaks to your authentic experience. A lot of blogging is just doing it just don’t give up that’s the bottom line.

Uberchic: What is your ideal day off?
Claire: To get my nails, toes, and brows done at Polish Bar in Brooklyn. Also to get a facial, a massage, and my hair done at Wayne Agassi’s Salon in Brooklyn. Then have a shrimp caeser salad and to read. I’m actually reading a book by Steven King now called On Writing and he says, “If you want to be a writer you must do two things above all others; read a lot and write a lot”.

Please stay tuned for our next Uber Exclusive!

Über Inspirtation: Following Your Dreams Terrence J.

Terrence from 106 and Park discussed via twitter about his aspirations to get into the television industry and described quitting his 30k job, moving to NY, and living on a floor for 8 months so he could pursue his dreams...

"Today is a new day. A new opportunity to follow your dreams. Take advantage of this blessing. Take that leap. Whatever your dream is, you have to step towards it. The more steps you take the more the universe will conspire to assist you… "

When asked by a follower what to do to pay the bills while pursuing a dream, he responded:

"when following your dreams you will be temporarily inconvenienced. Tyler Perry was HOMELESS years before becoming a MILLIONAIRE. Only you can determine the amount of sacrifice your dreams are worth."

Über Inspiration: Talented Women Past and Present

While continuing to celebrate black history month we wanted to praise the past and acknowledge the present while highlighting the future.

Below is a trailblazer who set the tone for some very uber inspirational women. Althea Gibson was beyond an African American athelete she was a tennis pioneer. She broke down barriers nationally and internationally at a time when prejudice and racism had an influence on society and sports. "I am honored to have followed in such great footsteps. Her accomplishments set the stage for my success, and through players like myself and Serena and many others to come, her legacy will live on," says Venus Williams on the impact Althea Gibson has had on her career.

These inspiring women have been carrying the torch for many years and have ground breaking records not as atheletes but also as African American Women. These women dominate on the court as well as off the court. Serena and Venus Williams are truely dynamic at what they do. Together the sisters have won 12 grand slam titles and have a host of other accomplishment under their belt. Serena has her own fashion label called "Aneres", while Venus is the chief executive officer of her interior design firm "V Starr Interiors" and together they both became part-owners of the Miami Dolphins ( the first African-American females to obtain ownership in an NFL franchise). Both these women are uber fab and we can't wait to continue watching them raise the bar from sports to fashion and everything in between.

Up next is a young lady that is already leaving her mark on the tennis court. At age 14, Taylor Townsend is a three time tennis champion reigning from Jonesboro, Georgia. In 2010, Taylor won the International Tennis Federation World Junior Tennis Finals Champion title with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) girls’ team. Although, she is only a freshman with her stats she is definitely an athlete we should all expect to see in the future.

Über Inspiration: Matthew Knowles American Story

In this Fox news clip Matthew Knowles, Beyonce' & Solange's father, tells his story on growing up and raising his daughters to who they are today!

Found on www.concreteloop.com

Über Inspiration: Oprah Winfrey

Here at Überchic we are continuing to honor African Americans by celebrating and acknowledging those from the past, present, and who's got next. It would only be appropriate that we kick this off with one of our favorite media moguls Ms. Winfrey. Oprah is the prime example of breaking boundaries no matter what the color of your skin is. Take a peak below for a quick mini bio and be inspired by her journey to greatness.

Über Inspiration: Willi Smith

In honor of Black History Month Überchic will be spotlighting past famous African American designers, entertainers, and models who have made a major impact on the pop culture industry.

Überchic spotlights: Willi Smith (1948 - 1987)

Born in Philadelphia, PA; Willi Donnell Smith was destined to become what fashion industry considers, "one of the most successful young fashion designers in fashion history".

Williwear was founded in 1976. Around the time of his death his company was selling $25 million worth of clothing a year.

You can see some of his famous work within the famous "School Daze" (A Spike Lee Joint), he designed the costumes!

I don't design clothes for the Queen, but for the people who wave at her as she goes by.

Über inspiration: Woman, Thy Name is Entrepreneur

For all the women out there who has the idea of venturing out on their own...this video is VERY inspirational...made by the i4c campain.

Über Inspiration: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Here at Über we thought it was only appropriate that we take a moment of our time to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King was a father, a husband, a civil rights leader, and an iconic hero to many. What he did for African Americans and people of all racial ethnicity's is remarkable and for that we thank him on his day. Personally, if I was ever given the chance to speak to Dr. King directly I would tell him thank you for never taking no for an answer and being an inspiration to everyone no matter what the pigment of their skin color is. He is the epitome of why I choose to walk by faith and not by sight. His visions for African Americans go way beyond what people could see at that time.

Every one I hope you take a moment today and just remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and all his accomplishments. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day!


Dr. King encouraging young blacks to vote


Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King