Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Craig.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my fashion blog in 2013, just before moving to Chicago later that year. I moved to Chicago to continue my education and journalism at Columbia College Chicago. While going to school, I continued to build up my platform and cultivate an audience of plus size women. As I got my start working with brands through my blog, my audience continued to grow. In 2014, I landed my first modeling gig on the Steve Harvey show, where I modeled a bikini along 25 other plus size women. I would say that was the springboard for my career in plus size fashion. Since then, I have been working with some of the brands that I could’ve only dreamed of working with and connecting with my readers from all over the world, all while living here in the fabulous city of Chicago. Chicago really elevated my career and also my blog. The bustling city gave me an endless network of creatives and mentors to look up to. It’s also a great place to be if you’re a blogger as many brands host events here, and huge attractions draw in crowds from all over the country every year. I really feel like I’m in the center of it all, and that really gives my blog and social media platforms and exciting feel. Last year I launched my modeling career (officially), which has been super exciting and very unexpected. I currently model on Chicago news stations’ morning shows and on other various brand campaigns. I also have a full-time job as an editor in business to business journalism.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think having a blog is very hard for everyone who does it because you are the sole creator and sole team member behind it most times. So if you don’t show up, your blog doesn’t succeed. And a lot of times there is not a lot of money to be made when starting out. So you have to choose to show up for an unpaid job where you feel like you’re talking to no one every single day until you build up an audience and earn paid brand contracts. Something I did to help me stay consistent was keep an editorial schedule and posting schedule for my blog when I first started. This really gave me a sense of responsibility and it held me to Michael’ something I did to help me stay consistent was keep an editorial schedule and posting schedule for my blog when I first started. This really gave me a sense of responsibility and purpose, and it held me to my goals, which ultimately turned my blog into a successful side hustle and something I thoroughly enjoy doing.
We’d love to hear more about Natalie in the City.
I am a plus size fashion blogger and an editor. Regarding my work specifically, I usually create two blog posts per week, which talk about what I’m wearing and my relationship with fashion. I then post on social media about those blog posts to start discussions among my readers. On my blog and social media platforms, I work with someone today’s household brands to re-define what it means to be plus size in the fashion industry. What sets me apart with my blog is that I truly love to engage with my audience. I cut out time every week to go through my messages, respond to readers, FaceTime them, create outfit collages for them, and really just be there for them because without them my platform would not exist. So I like to treat my audience as my closest friends. So whenever I’m writing a blog post or writing a caption I always have them in mind and I always want my content to feel like a girl talking to her best friend.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
Pretty much every woman I have been close with or have come into meaningful contact with has shaped my life in some way or form. I’m constantly observing how women react to the media and social pressures that we face when it comes to our body, and I’m always trying to find ways to lift up the women around me so that we can truly become more empowered to be our own individual, aside from any pressures to be someone or something that reflects an unrealistic standard of beauty because society told us we had to be. Specifically and currently, two major inspirational people I look up to are Regena Thomashuer (author of the book “Pussy: A Reclamation.”) and RuPaul. These two are individuals who questioned everything, and really pioneered a path for so many people even when it seemed impossible.
The most influential woman in my life will always be my mother. I’ve learned so much from her, and I always appreciate her for who she is. I find her to be such a badass woman.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.natalieinthecity.com
- Email: natalie@natalieinthecity.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/nataliexcraig
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/natinthecity
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/nataliexcraig
- Other: www.nataliedcraig.com
Image Credit:
Fashion Photography by: Rorie Raimondi (www.iamrorie.com)
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
