An Interview with Tash & Elle from They All Hate Us

Chloe Sargeant catches up with Tash and Elle from the hugely successful blog, They All Hate Us.

Does everyone really hate you? I don't! You guys are rad.

The name theyallhateus is about people that no matter what, aren't happy for you in life - funny yet honest!

So when did you start blogging?

About 5 years ago! Before the blogging boom. It really wasn’t to become a ‘blogger’ or anything, but a way of communicating to each other via the internet. It was our own personal Pinterest before Pinterest existed!

Was it a love of writing, photography, styling, or purely fashion that spurred you towards a fashion blog?

It was really a massive pin board of everything we love. We both are very visual people and in the end, we found our readers were too. Reading isn’t that important, they just want to look at gorgeous pictures that make them smile or laugh. Of course, it is mainly focused on fashion; mainly things we can't afford but want to find a way to!

And you guys have a shop too. How did that begin?

It started last year when we realized that we have a lot (pronounced ‘AAAAHHHH LOOOOOOOOTTTT’) of clothes that are amazing, but we just don’t really wear them much anymore. Our partners give us weird looks when we say we have ‘nothing to wear’ every morning! We have a rule now: when the coat hangers run out, it’s time for a clean out. We send stuff all over the world now; the shop has been amazing. Although, Tash’s kitchen bench is the warehouse still… but big plans for 2013, so stay tuned on that front!

Was there anything in particular you hoped to achieve through blogging?

No! Blogging was our hobby, and it’s become our business. We are incredibly lucky.

Can you tell me about the ideal The All Hate Us reader? Who is the standard person you imagine reading and loving your posts?

Well, many of our readers email us, so we actually know quite a few of them! We have visitors from all over the world, different ages, backgrounds. Funnily enough, there’s plenty of husbands and boyfriends too – we’ve helped them pick present for their partners.

Like personal shoppers?

Yeah! They pick presents from the images their partners liked! “What brand of bag is that with the studs at the bottom?”, “What are those shoes with the bottoms painted red?” Most of our traffic is from Monday to Friday… so people doing ‘research’ at work maybe!

Was it difficult to get your name out there at the start? 

You know what, it actually wasn’t. I think it’s because we started at the right time. We didn’t even realize people were reading until girls would stop us in the street to tell us how much they loved the blog. We have absolutely no idea how it became so popular… apparently there is just many other like-minded people out there who love quotes from The Notebook and Sex and the City!

So blogging is your full time job now? Or is blogging a 'in your spare time' kind of thing?

Tash has just left her role (head of womenwear for General Pants Co) to work on the blog full time, while also juggling her newborn bubba. But we do most of the work with clients on the weekend or after hours to fit into Elle’s work schedule.

Have you had to overcome any hurdles with blogging? Is there any crappy parts to it?

All we can say is, thank god for Tash’s husband. He does all the behind the scenes technical things; his business rebuilt the website, and manages all the data and stuff, which we are clueless about. And the hackers – no clue! The blog doesn’t crash purely because of him I think! 

Do you read blogs yourselves? Who are your favourite bloggers?

YES! We have about a hundred in our bookmarks. Our favourites are Sincerely Jules, Style by Kling, The Intersectionblog, French Voguettes, Models Jam, Marant Philes, My Daily Edition, Fashion Chalet… the list goes on.

What's a fashion trend that you are obsessed with right now?

Kenzo sweaters, slouchy printed tees with the sleeves rolled up, messy hair, beanies, carrying crazy expensive handbags while wearing $10 op-shop overalls, trashed jeans or denim shorts, wearing leather in summer, sneakers, and wearing all black.

If you could pick the brain of one person in the world, be it a designer, celebrity, model – who would it be?

Victoria Beckham! She is amazing. She was a huge inspiration to Tash, because they were pregnant at the same time! Wouldn’t it be amazing to be a fly on her walls? Also, Kate Moss – we’d love to hang out and borrow her clothes! Also on the list are Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyonce or Gwenyth. They are beautiful, incredibly strong women, who are so cool and so chic.

Thousands of girls around the world with internet access would love to be in your shoes: any advice for the aspiring fashion blogger?

Stay true to you and your style. Post frequently; you need to make people want to return. And most importantly, have fun with it!

Interview by Chloe Sergeant.