The Third Eye’s Celine Caruana and Lara Zerafa met Daniel Azzopardi, the mind behind the famous fashion blog ’The Devil Wears Pra-duh’. He is also known to be the most influential fashion blogger on the Maltese islands. Some of Daniel’s achievements include winning the ’Most Stylish Blogger Award’ at the Style Awards in 2012, winning the first ever ’Fashion Blogger Award’ at the Malta Fashion Awards in 2014, and most recently achieving the ’Fashion Blogger Award’ at the Malta Fashion Awards in May 2015 for the second time.
In our interview, Daniel disclosed what led to his passion for fashion and blogging, along with other interesting fun facts about him and his career.
What motivated you to start blogging?
Daniel: To be honest I was very bored with my work routine and I wanted to do something on the side and I just went for it. It kinda took off shortly after that and I continued to focus on that.
Why ’The Devil Wears Pra-duh’?
Daniel: When I started I wanted to combine both my love for fashion and humour so I picked one of the my favourite brands and added the "DUH!’ to make it a bit humourous.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Daniel: Fun, fearless and…fashion? Three Fs!
Favourite colour?
Daniel: It’s either blue or black. I’m so boring! *laughs*
Favourite drink?
Daniel: Green tea, ginger ale and Red Bull.
If you had to be an animal, what would you be?
Daniel: I think I’d be a wolf.
What are the hottest trends this season?
Daniel: Trends… uhm… it’s all about the "70s right now, so suede, fringe, funky denims!
Who are your favourite designers?
Daniel: Locally, I really like Marco Parascandolo, Luke Azzopardi, Charles & Ron and Ritienne ?ammit. And internationally, right now I’m really into Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent and Chanel obviously… I mean who doesn’t love Chanel?
What are your favourite local stores to shop at?
Daniel: This may come as a surprise but I don’t shop a lot. I know that may be a bit of a contradiction given what I do. I mostly shop from thrift stores, vintage stores and car boot sales in both Malta and Gozo. I think there is something very thrilling about looking through a mountain of crap and finding that special something and yet it’s only €1!
What are some things that we don’t know about you?
Daniel: Oh my god…is there something people don’t know about me? Because I’m sort of an open book. I love animals a lot! I have two dogs in Gozo so I try and go visit them as often as I can. I also like to walk a lot.
What was the most rewarding thing in your career so far?
Daniel: As cheesy as it may sound… winning an award I think. It makes you feel appreciated and loved for the work you’ve been putting out. But I think even on a day-to-day basis, meeting my readers in real life and the support I get is a very special thing for me.
Do you have any advice to those who are planning on building their career on blogging about fashion?
Daniel: I think fashion blogging is a very tough thing to do right. There really are no rules other than showcasing "you’, so the most important thing is having your own vision and your own style and being true to yourself and your readers.
What are your aspirations for the future?
Daniel: To travel more, wear more crazy things, to do things on a bigger scale and hopefully start going international soon.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Daniel: I hate this question! I get it in every interview and I never know how to reply because I’m more of living in the present kinda guy. I always try to have a better tomorrow than today so it’s very hard for me to see things 10 years ahead, but hopefully I’ll be happy and doing something I really love.
If you were not a blogger what would you be doing?
Daniel: I’d probably still be doing something fashion-related. Even from a young age, I went to an all boys school in Gozo and I hated the idea of having a uniform. I would rip the ends of my pants and fray them cause I hated looking like everyone else. So I think that was the start of how I got into fashion. But if I weren’t a blogger, I would either be a stylist or something on TV? Who knows.
Any favourite quotes?
Daniel: I just added one to my list this week: “If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough.”
Check out www.devilwearspraduh.com and follow Daniel on Facebook and Instagram :
https://www.facebook.com/devilwearspraduh
http://instagram.com/devilwearspraduh