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Tell us about the idea behind your fashion/architecture site Concrete Collar.

Becky: As two architecture students with a keen interest in fashion we wanted to find a way to merge our passions and express them creatively. A blog examining both fashion and architecture was born—hence the name Concrete Collar. We decided to pair up as neither of us had the confidence or time to go about starting one ourselves. It's also a plus having someone to bounce ideas off; something we were used to doing in college.

They say that when art and technology collide, great things happen.  What happens when fashion and architecture collide?

Ciana: When fashion and architecture collide, an exciting cross-pollination occurs; ideas from one feed into the other rather fluidly. Countless fashion designers note architecture as an influence in their work. And renowned architects like Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Rem Koolhaas have delved into the fashion world, collaborating with brands on limited edition lines, predominantly in footwear.

Has the site piqued the interest of the fashion world?

Becky: Yes, it's aroused lots of curiosity. We've been interviewed and mentioned in both fashion and architecture blogs and magazines. I think anyone working in a design-based discipline is always looking for a fresh angle on things and we always strive to bring something new to the table. We have been approached exclusively by designers to feature their collections [on Concrete Collar] and would be delighted to collaborate with architects directly.

Have the architects got anything to learn from fashion?

Ciana: We get the sense that many architects are reluctant to express an interest in fashion. Often they're more willing to discuss 'conceptual fashion' designers such as Maison Martin Margiela, The Antwerp Six and Yohji Yamamoto

An architect's design aesthetic is rooted in their very being. It may sound crazy, but we've found that this aesthetic often carries through to the way they dress. Architects are married to their creativity, and as much as some may not wish to admit it, they love their clothes—leather satchels, Camper shoes, natural fabrics, and clean lines. They're all a staple part of any architect's wardrobe, just take a look for yourselves!

I recently came across a book called, 'White Walls, Designer Dresses' by Mark Wigley. It explores the idea that fashion played a fundamental role in the birth of the white wall of the Modern Architecture movement. It turns out many of the architects involved in this movement also designed clothing. We're dying to get our hands on a copy.

At the end of the day designers and architects are striving to create innovative and beautiful things, albeit using hugely different media.

How did you grow your site to the point where it was nominated for an award?

Becky:We simply began creating original content. We loved the process of dreaming up, planning and then realising photo-shoots ourselves. It's a highly rewarding hobby and we became hooked. It developed quite organically in that the more blogging we did the more we would be approached by designers and creative professionals for collaborations. Coming from a background in architecture means we've both studied basic photography and have trained eyes in terms of composition thanks to countless design projects over the years.

How far along are you in terms of where you want to go with it?

Ciana: We've only scratched the surface. We've achieved a lot and much more than we ever expected to in Concrete Collar's first year, but there's only so much we can do when we're divided by a thesis and the Irish Sea! We're really excited to build on what we've done so far and are looking forward to investing more time in it when I graduate in June.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting a blog?

Becky: There are some really basic things that are essential to any good blog—high quality imagery and well-written text. Try to look for an angle that you think someone hasn't thought of yet. There are blogs popping up every day now so it's important you have something original to offer potential readers. 

What's next for you guys, and Concrete Collar?

Ciana: Concrete Collar is still young and we can't wait to see what the future has in store for it. In an ideal world we'd focus exclusively on the blog and collaborate with lots of exciting creative people. The world of creative direction is particularly appealing to the pair of us. Our blog has opened up so many doors already, from styling jobs to fashion journalism and art direction. We have lots of exciting projects in the pipeline and long may it continue.

For more on Concrete Collar visit The Concrete Collar blog or follow the duo on Instagram and Twitter @concretecollar and on Facebook www.facebook.com/concretecollar.

This article originally appeared in Newstalk Magazine for iPad in March, for more details go here.