Street Style Blogger Style Magnolia Tells Us How to Get Snapped

By Laura Neilson
July 14, 2011

Style Magnolias

Former model Candice Lake is now the blogger behind popular street style blog Style Magnolia. Left image: Lake shot by Tommy Ton for Vogue. Right image: Lake, courtesy of Vogue.

Like most fashion followers these days, we've got our eyes on the street—street style, that is. The best way to see it, we believe, is through the lens of the photographers whose fashion blogs enchant us with their inspiring photos of "real women" (granted, many are editors, models and stylists) who make the pavement into their own personal runways. Check out previous articles with street style blogger/photogs Vanessa Jackman and Jason Jean (Citizen Couture) and let Candice Lake of Style Magnolia show you how to get snapped in the article by Laura Neilson below.—The Editors

Candice Lake knows a thing or two about what makes a good photo. Before becoming the shutterbug and voice behind Style Magnolia, the Australian-born blonde worked the fashion circuit as a model whose assignments placed her before the lens of famed fashion photographers like Steven Meisel, as well as the catwalks of legendary labels such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

Now working as a full-time photographer, the London-based Lake (who was once one a career path to become a lawyer) showcases her eye for fabulous global fashion style, both on her blog, as well as the UK’s Vogue.com. Though Style Magnolia was originally intended as a second-tier depository of sorts for Lake’s images and musings, in just a short year the site has become her calling card.

Candice Lake (courtesy of Vogue)

As Lake prepared to expand her exposure with the launch of her brand new site, Candice Lake, which she describes as "more of a portfolio platform, where I will be archiving all my press and showcasing my editorials and published works etc. as well as some selected street style," (her Tumblr blog will continue as is) she talked with us.

The Inside Source: How did you end up moving from one side of the camera to the other?

Candice Lake: My career in fashion began as a model doing the runway circuit for labels like Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Chanel and shooting campaigns for Ralph Lauren and Versace. After a few years as a model, I went to university to study fine arts (photography) in Sydney. During university I assisted photographers, and eventually made the transition to photographer, with my graduating exhibition featured in Vogue. Soon after, I began shooting for Vogue.com in London.

Style Magnolias

Candice Lake ( courtesy of Vogue)

The Inside Source: And what about the genesis of your blog?

Candice Lake: It was actually my editor at Vogue.com UK who suggested that I start a blog, as I had a lot of content, and it would be a great second platform to present my work and write about what I was experiencing. That was about a year ago, and it has been an amazing experience so far.

The Inside Source: So blogging isn’t your full-time job?

Candice Lake: No. I also work with the Parisian fashion house, Rue du Mail designed by Martine Sitbon, developing global branding strategies and looking after international commercial sales. I travel a lot for both and they work symbiotically with each other, which is essential. My blog is an extension of the work I do for Rue du Mail, Vogue.com, consulting work and my photography. This diversity really allows me the opportunity to capture fashion movements and waves internationally, which is exciting.

The Inside Source: What is it about street fashion that really inspires you?

Candice Lake: For me, street photography is an exciting anthropological study. What inspires me about it is the diverse way subcultures express themselves, and how their social and geographical environments influence them. From supermodels to the fashion pack, Sloaney Ponies versus Hoxton, NYC cool kids, Upper East Side women, the art crowd, Parisian girls... all these subcultures have diverse yet binding similarities that make them uniquely exciting.

Style Magnolias

photos by Candice Lake for Style Magnolia: Model Karli Kloss

The Inside Source: How would you describe the street style fashion blogging scene? Is there a sense of community?

Candice Lake: The beautiful thing about the street style fashion bloggers is that there are about 10 to 15 of us that travel the world for two months of the year together. And we are a strong community, always helping each other out. Although we are all looking for our own image, we all have incredibly different eyes and approaches, so we all are looking for completely different things, which is what keeps it interesting. Although obviously when Anna dello Russo comes out, we are all there!

The Inside Source: Who are some of the other bloggers you spend time with?

Candice Lake: I usually spend a lot of the month with Vanessa Jackman, Jason Jean of Citizen Couture, Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil, Tamu McPherson of All The Pretty Birds, Nam of streetfsn, Eddie Newton of Mr Newton and Phil Oh of Street Peeper.

The Inside Source: What catches your eye and makes you want to pick up your camera?

Candice Lake: I can’t really say I have a specific thing or type of person that catches my eye. I photograph people that look interesting to me. I have always been interested in faces, and sometimes it is as simple as the light hitting someone’s face perfectly. I do love when people wear color, so perhaps that is one thing I look for.

Style Magnolias

photos by Candice Lake for Style Magnolia: Model Rachel Rutt, Australian Vogue Editor Ilona Harne

The Inside Source: Do you have any particular fashion items you look out for?

Candice Lake: It really is the whole package. Sometimes I might be obsessed with one thing. For example last season, I loved shooting girls with crazy hair colors, and did a post on that. But it really doesn’t matter if the girl is wearing an entire outfit from Target or couture. It is really about how she interprets it.

The Inside Source: How would you describe your own personal fashion style?

Candice Lake: My style is Meryl Streep in "Out of Africa" meets Ralph Lauren.

The Inside Source: Who are some of your favorite fashion designers?

Candice Lake: Martine Sitbon for Rue du Mail, Phoebe Philo for Celine, Mary Katrantzou and Ralph Lauren.

The Inside Source: What are some season-defining fashion trends that you've noticed on the street recently?

Candice Lake: Accessories, accessories, accessories!!! It is not uncommon to see two watches and over 20 bracelets hanging off the arms of the fashion pack. I have noticed a lot more color lately as well. Everyone seems to be wearing bright pops of color, which is always fun to shoot.

The Inside Source: Do you shop for vintage items? What was your last eBay search?

Candice Lake: I love vintage shopping. Recently I was searching for vintage YSL pieces, and wide brim hats—you can never have too many. I also love buying old art books on eBay.

The Inside Source: What's the one fashion item that you're forever searching for?

Candice Lake: I am obsessed with finding the perfect vintage rose gold Rolex watch. I have been hunting on eBay for quite a while.

(all images provided by Candice Lake)