Charmaine Simmons couldn’t keep her love for fashion all to her self, so in the summer of 2011 she embarked on her fashion blogging career with the goal to inspire her readers. Although the 20-year-old South Shore of Chicago Native has a busy schedule at the University of Illinois at Urbana– Champaign, she always puts her blog Sincerely, Evonne in the forefront and loves to interact with her readers through social media.
What is the main goal of your blog?
Charmaine Simmons: My main goal is to share and inspire. I want to share my love for fashion and beauty. Also, I want to inspire people to wear whatever they want without caring about what others think.
What is more important beauty or fashion?
CS: I would say both. Beauty is important because confidence is the most beautiful thing you can have. Fashion is important because clothes can make you feel confident on days when you feel horrible. You can express yourself through both make-up and clothes.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
CS: I would like to be living in New York and either be a fashion editor at a big fashion magazine or working on a PR team of a famous fashion company. I just want to be in the fashion industry and surrounded by people with positive energy. Also, I would like to be dating Michael B. Jordan. Hey, a girl can dream!
What makes you different?
CS: I am a black girl from the “hood” of Chicago, but you would not know that if you did not know me. I love fashion so much and my style is very versatile. I am a prime example of how you can work in fashion no matter where you come from.
What is one of your favorites at the moment?
CS: I would have to say NAR’s Orgasm Illuminator as a beauty item. This is basically the definition of “bae” in my life. It adds the perfect glow to your face.
What is your life motto?
CS: “Dress like the person you want to be,” is my favorite fashion quote. This is why I only own one pair of sweatpants as a college student. I dress like a fashion editor/PR maven every day. “If your dreams don’t scare you, they not big enough” is my favorite life quote. Where I’m from, people aren’t usually successful in life. I am going to be the exception, and this quote motivates me to keep going on days when I want to give up.
What projects are you currently working on for the blog?
CS: I recently just filmed mini videos for L’Oreal. Also, my big hair chop anniversary from when I went natural is coming up. I plan on making a personal video for that too. Who knows, I may start doing videos more. Only time can tell. I am always brainstorming and coming up with new ideas.
Check out Charmaine’s blog, keep up with her on Instagram, chat with her on Twitter @C_Evonne, and stay tuned for her guest blogs on Natalie in the City!
