Whitney Landa: Rockin’ Beats’ Creator Shares Her Tips For Starting Your Own Fashion Blog

Like it or not, the ’70s are back. From Marc Jacobs to Tom Ford, the designers — and DJs — of the world are sampling styles from the decade that brought you Jordache jeans, Studio 54 and Mrs. Roper. Meet Whitney Landa, the woman behind the fabulous ’70s-inspired blog Rockin’ Beats. She shares her expert tips for starting your own fashion blog, which ’70s fashions to revive (and which to leave behind), and her top music picks.  

Whitney Landa On The ’70s

Sachin Bhola (SB): Your blog is based on a ’70s aesthetic, be it music or fashion – what is it about the ’70s that speaks to you?
Whitney Landa (WL): I’ve always been a fan of the ’70s ever since I was little. I grew up in the mid-’80s, which I loved as well, but for some reason my music influences were always taken from the ’70s. My mother’s clothing she wore in that decade, my grandmother’s jewelry that she passed down to me, old photos, and my parents’ disco record collection influenced me so much growing up. The decadence of the ’70s, the luxuriousness, the glamour, all of it I love.

SB: Fashion always references previous decades, the ’70s being no exception. In fact, Marc Jacobs and Gucci featured heavy ’70s themes for spring 2011. Which fashions do you think should stay in the ’70s and which should be revived for modern-day dressing?
WL: I was happy to see the ’70s references come around once again in the collections. For me, it’s my time to experiment with the silhouettes, as I’ve never had the opportunity. I am finding it very fun to play around with high-waisted, wide-legged jeans, flat-form sandals, clogs, that easy-breezy, carefree (but tasteful) style that really suits my personality. I’m not really one to play around with fringe, and I don’t really think it suits too many people, so that can stay where it was.

SB: What’s something you think the people of the ’70s were doing right that we’re doing wrong in 2011?
WL: About 4 years ago I went to an opening party for a powerHouse publication Disco Years, a photographic journey of papparazzo Ron Galella in the ’70s club scene. The entire book is all about glamour, from celebrities on the social scene at Studio 54 to the best-dressed partygoers. The decade was very glamorous, from my perspective as an outsider looking in. With a city like New York anything goes, and I really enjoy seeing when people dress up to go out and really step it up a notch.

Whitney Landa On Blogging

SB: What advice do you have for someone looking to start a fashion blog today?
WL: This July will be the 5th year of doing my blog, which I started when I moved to New York. At first I wanted it to be a journal of sorts, recapping events I went to, experiences I had, and made it pretty personal. I think as a beginner blogger, it was a great way for me to have content readily available, and over the years I have transitioned it into more of a journal of what I like and hope others will enjoy.

 SB: I see that you’re on WordPress (as am I) – why not Tumblr or Blogspot? What did you consider, if anything, when you chose WordPress?
WL: I began with Blogspot, which was extremely easy to post content, but was lacking style. I moved my blog over to WordPress as I wanted to begin posting audio files, something that has really taken off on my blog. I have followers from the UK who enjoy hearing what I post, and it’s a great way for me to share what I am listening to with friends and family.

I actually have a Tumblr blog as well [Glossy], a collection of scanned tear sheets from my archives, pages I have been collecting since I was young. Rockin’ Beats is definitely my core blog, but Glossy is a nice complement as it’s strictly images.

SB: What’s a common mistake beginner bloggers make?
WL: There is definitely a time and a place to post personal photos on a blog, but I think when the main focus of the blog is yourself, it’s very hard for the reader to associate with it — of course blogs are very personal, but I like a little mystery, make the reader want to know a bit more about you. Each person has their own point of view and style, which is wonderful, and you’ll figure out how to mold your blog into what you want to express to the world.

Whitney Landa On Style

SB: Which publications, blogs, models, (etc.) do you follow regularly?
WL: I always buy Lula when it comes out, no question. I also really enjoy The Gentlewoman. Magazines have gotten quite pricey in the past few years, so it’s become more difficult for me to justify purchasing them. But when there is an amazing editorial shoot, or a model I love on the cover with a spread on the inside, I will pick it up! I definitely am drawn toward more British publications.

I am an avid follower of blogs such as Knight Cat, Jak & Jill, Into The Gloss, and The Coveteur, for fashion and beauty. On the righthand side of my blog I have my favorites in fashion, culture and music that you can check out.

Models are a plenty nowadays, but I love the sweetness of Kim Noorda, she is a chameleon, but always pulls off the look.

SB: Who is your style icon and why?
WL: To tell you the truth, I don’t really have a style icon. Of course there are women I admire their sense of style, but I can’t just choose one. In fashion, I am heavily inspired by stylist Catherine Baba — no one can emulate her, she is one-of-a-kind. Then you’ve got your Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Kirsten Dunst types who I definitely keep my eye on when they’re out and about.

SB: Favorite album and/or track from the ’70s?
WL: I listen to music constantly, so for me, this is an extremely difficult question. Each song I am drawn to has something special, gives me a feeling, but one song in particular that always gets me dancing is Brainstorm’s “Lovin’ Is Really My Game.” I could have chosen so many other songs, but this is one song that, ever since I heard it years ago, has been a favorite, and a go-to when I need a pep.

SB: Favorite fashion designer?
WL: For me, fashion changes so frequently, I don’t have a favorite designer; it’s really about the collection that excites me. One season I could be in love with a collection, and the next, favorite someone else’s vision. As with publications, I always lean more toward British designers because they really think outside of the box, are a bit more creative, funky, and playful. To me, that’s fashion!