Styled On

Oracle Fox is the home to Mandy Shadforth's artistic musings and personal style. This blogger, photographer, and visual artist extraordinaire has filled her pages with all sorts of inspiring images -from her own stunning shots to editorials or anything else that catches her eye. Read on to find out more about her style, artistic talents, and why she, too, holds Hawaii near and dear to her heart. 

StyledOn: Tell us a little about yourself - how did you get into blogging?
Mandy Shadforth: I actually entered the world of blogging by default. As an artist I was always on the hunt for inspiring images for my art projects, which I used to squirrel away in various notebooks and computer files. I started Oracle Fox in August 2010 as a means of artistic expression. Oracle Fox allowed me to share some of my interesting finds with others, and at the same time make my own artistic processes more interactive.

SO: How has your style evolved with your blog?
MS: I have always remained true to myself when it comes to fashion and style. I feel that I still have the same unique experimental style today as I did when I started Oracle Fox. Oracle Fox has given me a platform to explore my own personal style on a deeper level. I think that my style has remained the same, however the way that I artisticly present my style through Oracle Fox has gradually changed and evolved. I'm learning to take more risks with my personal photographic shoots and I feel that this has taken me to a new level of artistic expression.

SO: When did you first fall in love with fashion?
MS:  Probably when I was a little girl who raided mum's closet, although it meant a lot more to me as I got older and grew more confident with my own personal style.

SO: Any style secrets you'd like to share?
MS: They wouldn't be secrets anymore if I shared them! Just one then...it's not uncommon on my day off for me to gp around in flip flops!

SO: If you could collaborate with anyone on a project, who and what would it be?
MS: At the moment I am loving Josh Goot, but would also love to collaborate with Mania Mania who designs amazing jewelry pieces.

SO: What is the most treasured item in your closet?
MS: The most treasured item in my closet at the moment would have to be a plain little silver ring that Sam gave to me when he proposed in Hawaii.

SO: Awww! Where do you find the most inspiration?
MS:  Mother Nature will always be my greatest source of inspiration. It provides me with unlimited sources of material to draw ideas from. I find inspiration everywhere; from Sydney street style, to the beaches along Australia's coastline, the explosions of color that accompany the change in season, and my travels around the globe. For me, inspiration surrounds me on a daily basis. My favorite form of inspiration is looking at old pictures in books and magazines as I find that this automatically transcends into my outfit posts.

SO: What kind of art do you do, and who are some of your favorite artists?
MS:  These days art encompasses my whole life. At the moment, art for me is the personal fashion shoots that I post on Oracle Fox every week. When I am painting I paint in a photorealistic style with images that have a fashion influence. My favorite artists include Marilyn Minter, I love Australian artist Dale Frank, and I love photographer Neil Krug.

SO: We're currently loving your blog! Which blogs do you read the most?
MS: Studded Hearts, Bleach Black, Knightt Cat, Fashion Toast, 4th and Bleeker, and Style by Kling are all a part of my weekly essentials.

SO: If you could go anywhere - where would you want to go?
MS: There are so many places I would love to go and the possibilites are endless! Japan has been on my hit list for awhile, and I am so excited that I will finally get to go later in the year, so I am really looking forward to this trip! I also always look forward to visiting a great surfing location where there is plenty of great shopping, culture and food.

Has Mandy been added to your latest must-reads, too?

http://fellt.com/oraclefox