An Interview With La Carmina!
Tamara on our blogging staff introduced me to the website of La Carmina, a woman who writes, blogs, does shows, fashions, and more. A total original, she embodies the "Fan-To-Pro" spirit - in this case a fan of fashion and Asian culture! Tamara insisted I interview her - so how could I resist someone that mixes a love of food, fashion, and cats together in one media power package?
1) I would ask you to sum up what you do - but you do so much! How would you sum yourself up and what you do in one paragraph - there's a challenge!
Here’s an attempt… “La Carmina is a blogger, author, journalist, and TV host. She specializes in Japanese fashion and pop culture, and has been described as “adorable, in a somewhat bizarre way” by The New Yorker. Carmina is a journalist for CNNGo (where she contributes articles about Asia travel and lifestyle) and writes a monthly Global Gothic column for Lip Service Webzine. Her blog on Tokyo Goth fashion and subcultures - www.lacarmina.com/blog - has been featured in major publications (The New Yorker, Washington Post, WWD, Village Voice, Time Out New York, Fox News, LA Times). She’s appeared on The Today Show and co-hosted an episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for Travel Channel. Carmina recently co-hosted a Canal Plus documentary and CNN International segment in Tokyo, and will be the Asia host for an educational travel TV series, Project Explorer.”2) How did you end up doing - well, all of this?
I was in law school but needed a more creative outlet, so I gave blogging a go. Before long, I couldn’t get enough of writing and posting images about Japanese subcultures and streets type. Readership increased on my La Carmina blog (http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/), which lead to the books (http://www.lacarmina.com/books.php) (Cute Yummy Time and Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo), CNN gig, travel TV work and other adventures.
3) With your various works, how do you make a living?A combination of it all. Writing for CNN and other publications, the book deals (signed with major publishers), advertisements on my blog, TV hosting and random gigs. I also have Japanese designer clothes and accessories for sale on my Online Garage Sale - http://picasaweb.google.com/lacarminasale/GarageSale# - come take a browse!
4) What are your future plans for your career, your products, and soon?
I’ll keep blogging until I croak. You can see my daily adventures in Harajuku street style on my La Carmina blog. I’d love to continue working as a travel TV host and making videos (http://www.youtube.com/user/lacarmina). And I’m always open to exploring new mediums and collaborations. The doors are open.
5) You've done an excellent job of getting involved in media, getting interviewed, and more. How do you maintain a good media presence these days?
I’ve never hired a publicist or PR person. My book publishers got me on The Today Show and in newspaper/magazine features. Social networking and producing frequent, quality blog content are great way to gain presence; reporters and TV companies have contacted me simply because they discovered my blog.
6) What kind of advice would you give creative people wanting to start their own businesses?
Do it, already! Get something out there, even if it’s not perfect, and start building an online presence. I know many creative people who talk big but never have anything to show. My first attempts at blogging were poor, but jumping in is the only way to learn and improve.
7) Finally, let's ask this - tell us about your cat, since he's everywhere on your site!
Earless, round, yellow and adorable… Basil Farrow (http://lacarmina.com/basilfarrow) is a character. He’s a Scottish Fold cat, and was raised by actress Mia Farrow and her son Ronan in Connecticut. Basil Farrow truly is one of the most intelligent and snuggly cats you’ll ever meet (not to mention his cuteness). He’ll go up to visitors and say “wahhh”, then roll over and stare at you with big eyes until you give him a tummy rub! You can add Basil Farrow on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/basilfarrow) and see his videos on YouTube. (http://www.youtube.com/user/lacarmina)
Thanks to La Carmina for the interview. She's got a lot of projects listed above, I've repeated them for reference here:
URL - http://www.lacarmina.com
Twitter http://twitter.com/lacarmina
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/la_
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/
- Steven Savage
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