Don’t be fooled, just because Kelsi Smith‘s purse reads, “My life is dull,” doesn’t mean this rings true. In fact her life is the opposite and as one of Los Angeles’ top fashion bloggers, she has become a noticeable�voice in the local fashion community, which is why she’s this week’s Weekend Read feature. We recently asked Kelsi to weigh in on the future of Los Angeles Fashion Week and her�blog Dedicated Follower of Fashion.

How did you decide to start a blog? And where did the idea for its name come from?
It’s a super long winded story, but, I had been making accessories and selling them via Etsy – I was an avid reader of blogs and decided that I should start my own as a marketing tool for my business – this was around 4 years ago – so it wasn’t the most normal thing to do. I really enjoyed blogging and wanted to write with a more fashion focus (as opposed to the handmade industry) and thus Dedicated Follower of Fashion was born in January 2009. The name comes from one of my favorite Kinks songs, it was supposed to be tongue in cheek but in reality the name was a harbinger of the future.

Are you a full-time blogger or can you tell us about your 9-5?
Well, blogging, and the world in which surrounds it, is my 9-5 (or 7-Midnight as it were) I currently live and breathe fashion.

Writing Dedicated (I try to post around 5 times a week) takes up a fair chunk of my time. After that I run an organization called Two Point Oh! LA for fashion, style and beauty bloggers in Los Angeles – we produce events almost monthly as well as work on great brand partnerships, educational workshops and run our own blog – so that takes up another chunk of time.

The rest of the time I focus on my other baby – Stylesmith – producing events (like the upcoming Los Feliz Fashion Fest), running PR, brand and digital strategy for small fashion clients and dabbling in photography and styling. I also spend my Sundays caring for a young woman with autism.

I’m pretty busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Most days I’m thankful for my severe ADD.

As the creator/founder of Two Point Oh! LA, what made you want to bring together local LA-based bloggers?

Two Point Oh! LA started as a result of some of the divisiveness I had seen within the fashion industry itself. It seemed that bloggers were much more able of creating community than anyone else in the fashion industry – at least online – so it made sense to take our community offline and do some good within the fashion industry in Los Angeles.

In addition – at the time we started (and I don’t see this as being true anymore which means I achieved my goal – something I’m very proud of) being a blogger within the fashion industry here was very alienating. A blogger is very much a “one man band” – you do your own photography, videography, writing, PR…everything, so it’s nice to feel you’re “going it alone” as a group and if needs be, you can help each other out.

What are your thoughts on the future of Los Angeles Fashion Week?
A subject very near and dear to my heart, and not a question with one real answer. I think the key is to not emulate New York or London or Paris. If we wanted LA to be like any of them – we would just move there (which of course many do). LA is special in it’s own right and should be treated as such.

I don’t see one company ever taking over fashion week (or fashion month as we like to refer to it) but I do see more indie groups, like Concept, putting together shows celebrating what LA is. The further we can step away from trying to be New York, the better. I’ve come to enjoy the melange of shows and ambition of those who claim to have the solution to LA Fashion week. LA is a city that runs on dreams, and I’m not going to take that away from any one group. It is what it is – and we should enjoy what we have.

I’m currently working on a top secret fashion project that celebrates LA fashion all year round using the elements that already work here, entertainment, location, music. I’m excited about it, but the element of surprise is very important – so that’s all I’m saying and I’m aware that this makes me fashion week dreamer – but quite frankly, I don’t give a damn ;)

Please sum up your personal style in 5 words or less.
Girly, fancy, preppy, stupid, with a little bit of boho… (and my edge is reserved for my personality and the occasional “sharp” shoe)

Lastly, what is your perfect or ideal weekend like?
Free. Which is really, really rare.

Talk about a busy blogger, a huge thank you to Kelsi for taking the time to talk to MyFDB. Be sure to visit her blog Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Two Point Oh! LA, and follow her adventures on Twitter @stylesmith.