A Quick Q&A with Claire Sulmers

When Claire Sulmers walks into a room she turns heads. Her statement locks, blinding smile and va va voom sense of style stand out in the crowds of fashion folk all dressed in black. She is the editor-in-chief and founder of FashionBombDaily.com and just like the name of her site, Sulmers has exploded onto the fashion scene.

But what some might see as an overnight success story, came from years of hard work, trial and error and never taking “no” for an answer. To help other fashion loving entrepreneurs  like herself Sulmer has just published her first book “The Bomb Life”. The memoir goes into the details of how, over the past decade, she transformed her site into one of the industry’s most influential style blogs with an Instagram feed with over 1 million followers. She also gives advice on how others can build their online audience, monetize their sites and hopefully find themselves sitting next to her in the front row of fashion shows. 

Here Sulmers took some time out of her busy schedule to tell Fashion Your Seatbelt about her love of Paris, growing her company and how a schoolyard bully changed her perspective about fashion.

“The Bomb Life” book cover.

Q: How did you first get interested in fashion?

A: I’ve been interested in style since my pre-teen years. Out of boredom, I’d play dress up with my mother’s clothes, smearing lipstick on in the mirror to mimic the pout of models I saw in magazines. My obsession with fashion began in junior high, when kids were deemed cool or uncool based on having the ‘right’ clothes (things haven’t really changed much, have they?). After one incident with a schoolyard bully (who made fun of me for wearing the same jeans twice), I decided that fashion would be my armor against the bullies of the world. Dressing well gave me confidence and an unmatched swagger that helped me face any adverse situations that came my way.

Q: What made you finally decide to launch out on your own and create your brand and blog?

I created my own brand and blog out of necessity. After I graduated from Harvard, I launched into the world of publishing, completing internships at New York, Newsweek, and Upscale magazine. I was a researcher/reporter at Real Simple magazine when I tapped back in to my love for fashion and writing. When I expressed interest in migrating over to the fashion department for the magazine I worked for, or when I sent my resume to fashion magazines, I encountered rejection after rejection. And out of that adverse situation, The Fashion Bomb brand was born. When the world tells me no, I tell myself yes.

Q: What was your big break?

A: I’d say one of my biggest career breaks happened when I decided to quit my job and move to Paris (without a job, proper papers to work, and only two contacts in France). I moved to Paris with the goal of interning at Paris Vogue, and through a series of fortuitous circumstances (which I write about in my book, The Bomb Life), I was granted an internship. I was introduced to the world of couture and men’s fashion week, and it gave me incomparable experiences that I still reference to this day.

Q: Who inspires you?

A: I’m inspired by Anna Wintour. She’s smart, powerful, and a visionary. I’m also inspired by Oprah for the same reasons!

Q: Who living or dead would you love to be able to have dinner with?

A: Natalie Massenet, Ariana Huffington, Oprah, or Anna Wintour.

Q: What is your favorite trip?

A: I love Paris for the sights, food, and shopping, and the British Virgin Islands for relaxation.

Q: When are you happiest?

A:When I’m able to unplug and be fully present.

The Fashion Bomb Instagram feed.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing?

A: We are a huge brand, but still don’t have the infrastructure of a large company. We’d love to take on investors so that we can scale and reach our fullest potential.

Q: What is your secret talent ? 

A: I can remember most of the words to songs after hearing it a few times. Basically if you need me to remember anything, just put it to music.

Q: What is your motto or the best piece of advice you ever got?

A: Never, ever, ever give up.

 

Q: What emoji do you use the most?

A: BOMB.

 

Q: What is the latest Instagram feed you decided to follow?

A: @jc.ro . He makes cool murals featuring hip hop artists/influencers in LA. I am headed out to LA for a couple weeks, and wanted to research things to see and do. I believe his Kanye West mural is still up at Dom Gallery. Expect to see a photo shoot there if it is.

Jessica Michault

Jessica Michault is the Senior Vice President of industry relations at GPS Radar by Launchmetrics. She is also the editor-at-large for ODDA magazine and contributes to publications like the New York Times, the Business of Fashion, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Mixte magazine.