FROM HOLLYWOOD TO MILAN… | THE RISE OF BLOGGER SENSATION

Who would think that sharing their thoughts with the world would a few years later, lead to a creative empire? Certainly, Audrey Kitching didn’t – once a teen blogger, now, an Internet and style sensation. It’s impossible not to notice her. Audrey’s signature pink locks may draw you in, but it’s her entrepreneurial spirit that makes her a standout. Kitching found herself in the spotlight as Buzznet’s Style Editor-at-Large, but that’s not her only claim to fame. She also displays her incredible talents as a model, designer, fashion journalist, jetsetter, and stylist. Between collaborating on designer lines, writing a cookbook inspired by her vegan lifestyle, and being featured in Italian Vogue, Kitching has her many fans waiting on the edge of their seats to see what amazing project she’ll deliver next. How does this Rainemaker do it all and make it look so good?RAINE: How did you get started in fashion and blogging?KITCHING: I’m from Philadelphia and I was brought up where being creative was normal. My mom is very creative and made my clothes as a child. As I got older, I started designing my own clothing. When I was 16, blogging platforms started popping up. It was great to have a virtual diary to let off some steam. After leaving high school to work for AVEDA, my musician friends invited me to tour with them as their stylist. I moved to Los Angeles and I blogged about my experiences and gained a lot of popularity from fans interested in a behind-the-scenes glance at their favorite bands.RAINE: When did you break into modeling?KITCHING: My hair was originally long, curly, and reddish brown and my hair salon was always asking me to model for them. I went to modeling school in the city for two years and got to spend my Saturday mornings playing with make-up and taking pictures. I went to my first convention and it was horrifying: there were thousands of other girls. I ended up winning petite runway, most photogenic, and best portfolio, but I remember thinking I shouldn’t have won anything. Hot Topic contacted me to model for them. I transitioned into art directing shoots with myself as the model. I decided to be independent and see what would come and people started hiring me for my persona. I was recently in Italian Vogue. I consider myself an unconventional model and I feel I am so lucky I get to do what I love for a living.RAINE: How did your partnership with Buzznet start?KITCHING: Buzznet reached out to me when they were just starting out after coming across my blog. I started writing and producing videos for them.RAINE: What new projects do you have in the works?KITCHING: I’m re-launching a limited edition clothing line this Spring. I’m only making fifty of each piece, so they will become collectibles. My first line grew so fast and got so crazy, so I decided to start fresh this time. The style is comfy casual wear: girly, edgy, and fun. I’m transitioning into writing something people can take away from. One of my current writing projects is a fashionista budget bible which will show people fun things you can do without a lot of money: how to take an old pair of shoes and make them look new, how to travel on a budget, at-home spa treatments and a lot of other really cool stuff. I am also working on a cookbook with vegan recipes and hope to finish it in the next year. I’m also doing a lot of collaborations. I designed a pair of sunglasses with a company called Bon Look. I’m working with a shoe company called Carol D and I’m going to Milan to shoot their campaign in the Spring and will design a couple of shoes in the collection that I am modeling. There are a million different branches of Audrey Kitching, for example, I just launched my metaphysical shop in Feb. 2013 and sold out of inventory in just 24 hours. I feel like my followers are very creative people and I want to give them more then just modeling photos and celebrity blogs: I see Audrey Kitching as a Lifestyle Brand.RAINE: What do you want your fans to know about you?KITCHING: I am a crazy organized neat freak. I am a hard person to live with so, my boyfriend deserves a medal for dealing with me. I don’t really like trains or buses or flying and I’ve never been outside the US. It’s a struggle for me to travel a lot. I love to travel but absolutely hate the process of getting there. I consider myself a fashion writer and stylist, but I’m trying to learn to allow myself to also embrace my role as a model.RAINE: What do you love about being an entrepreneur?KITCHING: I can do everything from a cookbook to a blog; I’m even in training to be a Reiki Master. I’m very lucky: whatever I do, my followers embrace