Over a cup of joe at Austin’s famed Walton’s café, Jessi Afshin, creator of the blog “The Darling Detail,” offered ORANGE some advice for fellow style bloggers. ORANGE writer Julia Duke got the scoop on what readers can expect from Afshin as she kicks off the new year and celebrates the blog’s one-year anniversary.
Story By Julia Duke
Photos courtesy of Jessi Afshin

Last February, Austin local and fashionista Jessi Afshin made quite the name for herself after creating a style blog called “The Darling Detail.”

The blog already has high-profile advertisers paying for spots on the site, such as Kendra Scott and Anthropologie. “Everything is happening so fast, but it is so exciting that amazing opportunities are coming my way,” Afshin says.

To add to her list of successes, the soon-to-be retail and merchandising UT graduate recently began interning with the well-known lifestyle blogger Camille Styles. As for her own blog, Afshin hopes to provide valuable content to her readers, promising them pairings that she considers thrifty. For now, “The Darling Detail” provides readers with original photographs, Pinterest-worthy recipes and inspirational quotes.

ORANGE: What does a year of blogging mean to you?

AFSHIN: I was able to fulfill one of my passions and make a creative outlet that I’m so proud of. I think it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It gives me hope for years to come.

ORANGE: How would you describe your style?

AFSHIN: Parisian, classic, vintage and obsessed with detail. It’s all about the little things.

ORANGE: What separates you from other bloggers?

AFSHIN: I try to be as affordable and as attainable as I possibly can. If I can get it, then you can, too. As well as the photography aspect, I spend a lot of time on Photoshop editing my photos to make them standout. My mom and I travel around Austin looking for the best backdrops.

ORANGE: Has it opened a lot of doors for you?

AFSHIN: Well, I’m at the top of Google results for “Austin fashion blog,” so luckily it has gotten to that point. It is slowly starting to monetize. People are actually reaching out to me. It’s all happening really fast.

ORANGE: What advice do you have for the spring?

AFSHIN: Crop tops are really popular and it’s all about the matching tops and bottoms. Oh, and no one cares about the white Labor Day rule anymore. White is really in this spring. There’s a pastel trend that I can’t get enough of.

ORANGE: What are some of your favorite collections from NYFW?

AFSHIN: My faves are Carolina Herrera and Naeem Khan. Oscar de la Renta is always a favorite.

ORANGE: What are your plans after graduation?

AFSHIN: Stay in Austin or move to New York. If I move to New York, I would be working for someone else. But, if I stay here, it would be me trying to work for myself and my brand.

ORANGE: Any advice to fellow bloggers?

AFSHIN: Really love it, because it consumes your life.

ORANGE: Can you give us a sneak peek of things to come?

AFSHIN: I’m traveling to Paris this summer and I hope to blog about fashion, architecture and art in my favorite city.