A prominent fashion blogger unlike most

Apart from the creative clothing and accessories by Chinese designers, another highlight of the Shanghai Fashion Weekend for Lyn Slater was the inclusivity of the event, which was open to members of the public.

"I love the format of Shanghai Fashion Week as it lets everyone participate in fashion," said the US fashion blogger, who was wearing a tight silver dress and black sunglasses at the event. "Back in New York, not everyone is able to attend similar events and interact with members of the fashion industry."

Unlike many fashion bloggers, Slater actually has a fulltime job as a social welfare and law professor at Fordham University.

One would be quick to notice that she looks far more mature than the typical fashion bloggers too - Slater is 64 this year.

Slater, who started her blog Accidental Icon in 2014 to reach out to thoughtful individuals hoping to talk and read engaging stories about fashion, said that she only has time to post photos and articles three times a week, compared with most other bloggers who post about three times a day, because of her teaching commitments.

Nevertheless, her job as a professor has proven to be a rich source of inspiration instead of hindrance to her passion for fashion. Slater said that she loves being surrounded by students as they can offer her valuable insights into the fashion world.

Being a Web celebrity is not necessarily easier than being a professor, she added.

She believes that a good blogger has to be creative, perform extensive research before writing, as well as be able to engage with his or her audience effectively on social media platforms.

The most important thing about being a blogger, Slater pointed out, is "to be yourself".

She used to turn down writing about fashion products from different brands because she did not think they suited her style.

"I use fashion as an identity," she said.

When asked about how the fashion scene in China compares with its US counterpart, Slater said that the Chinese might be better off focusing more on personal style and rejecting trends and brand logos. She suggested that local fashion lovers should "wear creations by Chinese designers with your fabulous Gucci bags".

Slater noted that the fashion trend in China is "evolving" as emerging Chinese designers become more prominent on the global stage.

"The creations by young Asian designers are very attractive to meI have amazing white sandals from Xiao Li, a Chinese designer, and what I am wearing right now is also from a young Asian designer," she said.

She added that the Internet celebrity scene in China is very powerful too, having experienced it for herself - she gained 5,000 additional Instagram followers overnight after her interview with Gogoboi, one of the most influential fashion bloggers in China.

He Qi contributed to this story.

(China Daily USA?04/21/2017 page7)