A Big Think Interview with Scott Schuman | Big Think

TL;DR

Scott Schuman, known as The Sartorialist, shares his journey in fashion and how he became one of the most influential street style bloggers.

Transcript

Scott Schuman the sartorialist what made me want to work in fashion uh when I was growing up I played sports like all the regular you know kids in the midwest boys in the Midwest and uh would read Sports Illustrated and you know read all about all the athletes that I liked and kept reading that uh what they were spending their money on you know car... Read More

Key Insights

• 💃 Schuman's passion for fashion was sparked by his interest in sports magazines and the attention he received from women when he dressed well.
• 🥺 The simplicity and interaction of blogging attracted Schuman, leading him to create The Sartorialist as a visually driven platform to showcase street style.
• 👯 Schuman believes street fashion is more interesting than runway fashion because it reflects people's personal styles and combines elements from various sources, including vintage pieces.
• 💄 He credits his background in tailoring and pattern making for his understanding of clothing and the ability to capture the subtleties of a well-fitted outfit.
• 🙈 Schuman sees fashion blogs as a means for designers to find inspiration and connect with their audience directly, potentially changing the traditional fashion system.
• 👀 His audience is diverse, consisting of fashion enthusiasts, individuals looking for inspiration, and those who want to be part of a fashion community.
• 🫵 Schuman's success and consistent voice on his blog are attributed to his sincerity, passion, and unique point of view.
• ❓ While he embraces advertising on his blog, Schuman maintains the integrity of his content, ensuring it remains separate and authentic.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Scott Schuman come up with the idea for The Sartorialist?

Schuman was inspired by the idea of capturing stylish individuals and combining them with people he knew were fashionable. He chose to use a blog format because it allowed him to easily showcase his photographs and have direct interaction with his audience.

Q: What does Schuman believe is the main difference between fashion and style?

According to Schuman, fashion is what is currently trending, while style is a personal expression that is always present in one's wardrobe. He believes that style is unique to each individual and reflects their personality.

Q: How has Schuman's background in the fashion industry influenced his photography?

Schuman's background in tailoring and pattern making has given him an understanding of the subtleties of clothing, which he incorporates into his photography. He focuses on capturing the details and fit of the clothes, making his photographs stand out.

Q: How does Schuman believe fashion blogs will impact the fashion industry?

Schuman believes that fashion blogs offer a visual and personal perspective, providing inspiration for designers and readers alike. He sees a future where young designers can showcase their collections directly to their audience through blogs, bypassing traditional media channels.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Scott Schuman grew up with a passion for fashion, sparked by his interest in magazines and the attention he received from women when he dressed well.

• He found inspiration for his blog, The Sartorialist, from an interior design blog, realizing that photography and simplicity would make it unique in the blogging world.

• Schuman believes street fashion is more interesting than runway fashion because it reflects what people are actually wearing and their personal style.