Birds of a Feather will highlight strong, confident, and beautiful women in the fashion community. We got in touch with this week’s featured blogger, Lady Smaggle, because of her gorgeous, healthy figure, amazing style sense, and general awesome-ness. This girl is going places!

Name: Lady Smaggle
Location: Melbourne, Australia. Although right now I’m in Canberra.
Age: 25
Occupation: I’m currently studying a Diploma of Engineering in Jewellery design. Basically metal-smithing. It’s rad. On the side I teach kiddies with special needs who I adore and arrogant teenagers who I can’t stand. I also do a bit of freelancing here and there.

The Demoiselles: Hello, Lady Smaggle!

It’s an honor, as a fan, to finally meet you! The Demoiselles are hugely fond of your blog (and hugely envious of your amazing style!), what inspires it?

Lady Smaggle: Ah! So lovely to meet you too! I’m inspired by awesome, strong and funky ladies. Like Tilda Swinton, Daphne Guinness, Vivienne Westwood, Helena Bonham Carter and Eva Green. Ladies with attitude, who live their lives without regret or apologies. Who wear what they want, when they want and look freakin amazing!

TD: Speaking of amazing women, when you’re bombarded by images of standardized beauty in the media, how do you bring yourself back to earth and stay positive?

LS: Look, if I had my way I’d have long, lithe limbs and a metabolism that chewed through food before I even ate it. But I have a friend who is EXACTLY like that who never wears sleeveless tops because she so self conscious about her skinny arms. It’s ridiculous. People will always find flaws in themselves because it’s just human nature. I have some beautiful features and some not so beautiful features. What I have learned is that no one ever notices the not so beautiful features unless you point them out. So don’t! Flaunt your gorgeous self and play up your strengths. No one will notice your dimply thighs or heinous feet if you’re smiling and having a ball.

TD: What’s the biggest challenge you feel you face in shopping for yourself?

LS: That everything is so bloody trend based! I haven’t been able to by anything new that’s non trapeze/babydoll for about two years. That’s why I thrift shop all the time. And don’t even start me on ‘trendy’ colours. What was with all the burnt orange last year? I just find chain stores are really limiting in their choices and I don’t actually want to look like Cory Kennedy or Pixie Geldof and the fact that they offer no alternative is really infuriating. Having said that I’d sell my soul for a pair of hammer pants right now.

TD: What convinces you to buy, or not to buy a piece of clothing?

LS: Comfort. Price. Materials. Cost per wear. I’m a VERY discerning shopper and I rarely buy new things. I’m second hand all the way baby! But if I do something new it has to fit perfectly and look better than what I am currently wearing.

TD: You radiate confidence and power… How do you keep your “I’m Amazing” levels up?

LS: To be perfectly honestly I think it’s all about health. I eat well 90% of the time and I exercise daily. I don’t like it much but it has to be done. If I sat around every night eating cheese and drinking wine everything would suffer. My mental health, hair, skin, body… it’s not worth it. Believe me, if I had one of those magic metabolisms I’d set up camp at a cheese factory and have vats of melted chocolate delivered to me every hour. Unfortunately I’m not blessed in that department. As long as I eat well, exercise and take of myself, I always feel pretty tops. Being productive helps a lot too. I hate getting to end of the day and feeling like I haven’t achieved anything.