Exclusive: An Inside Look At LOOKBOOK.nu With Yuri Lee
30 October 2008, 1:35 PM. By Cindy Casares
A couple weeks ago we came across the website LOOKBOOK and we have been hooked on it ever since. The fashion site is “an international social experiment in style” where its members submit pictures of themselves wearing their favorite outfits for readers to vote up, or “hype,” and comment. The incredibly well executed and addictive property was designed by 22 year-old Yuri Lee (picture on the left) and her boyfriend, who is shy and will remain anonymous but whom we think is Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (not really), from San Francisco. We had a chat with Yuri about the LOOKBOOK, West Coast versus East Coast style, and what she has identified as the latest must-have wear for this fall.
GB: Explain to our readers precisely what LOOKBOOK is and how you came up with such an idea for a site. Had you always been interested in fashion?
YL: I have always loved all forms of art, including of course, fashion! To me practical fashion inspiration comes from real people, rather than runways or magazines.
We (my boyfriend and I) realized that if we were to make a site that gathered looks from real people all over the world, we could create a virtual lookbook of contemporary street styles. So LOOKBOOK was born in April out of our small apartment in San Francisco. Soon after, we quit our jobs to work on LOOKBOOK full time!
GB: What is meant by “invite only?” How are new users able to receive an invitation to the site?
YL: In order to join LOOKBOOK, you either need to have a friend who is already a user invite you, or you can apply for an invitation at http://LOOKBOOK.nu/apply. Our goal was to create a community of people who are passionate about fashion, and we hope to keep it that way.
GB: The photos on the site are artful and look professionally done. How do you ensure that these are photos of actual members, and not photos of models in magazines or ads?
YL: We are blown away by the many talented young photographers on LOOKBOOK, but staying close and personal with the LOOKBOOK community makes it easy for us to scope out impostors. It’s not always easy, but a little investigation can go a long way.
GB: What sort of members does the site attract - is it mostly women? Mostly Americans? Any Latinas?
YL: The fashion world is dominated by the female gender, but there are many wonderful and truly unique guys that stand out on LOOKBOOK. Only about 30% of our users come from the United States. I love seeing how international the site has become…and of course, the Latinas have done an amazing job representing their styles.
GB: What Fall trends have you noticed among your members?
YL: Grunge, plaids, monotones, latex leggings and layers.
GB: You’re based in San Francisco. Would you say there’s a difference between West Coast and East Coast style? Or American fashion versus style abroad?
YL: Having lived in California all my life, I know the West Coast style is laid back and casual thanks to the beautiful weather we often take for granted. The East Coast style on the other hand is more dark and formal. I also had the chance to study abroad in Europe and noticed how impeccably dressed everyone was.
GB: Have you noticed any innovative ways people are staying fashionable despite the recession? Any tips for those on a budget?
YL: The recession hurts everyone, but the good news is some of the most impressive looks I’ve seen have been created on tight student budgets. As long as you keep an open mind, fashion inspiration can come from just about anywhere. Many of my favorite outfits are completely thrifted/second hand.
GB: What are your picks for emerging designers to look out for?
YL: I have to give some love to my fellow arts school alumni who are pursuing careers in fashion: Mia from peeps.org and Whitney from therecycleddead.com.
GB: What are some items women should take care to have in our closets?
YL: For me, a solid pair of jeans and a favorite white shirt. I wear this practically everyday.
Since its launch the LOOKBOOK has been populated with thousands of beautiful pictures from its readers, many from Latin America and Spain, each with details about the items they are wearing. We told Yuri that Guanabee was full of Fashionistas and convinced her to give our readers special access to the site. If you would like to join LOOKBOOK simply register and enter the invite code: GUANABEE.
If you do submit a fabulous picture of yourself sporting your latest outfit, please send it our way. We’ll highlight the best looks.
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OMG! This is amazing. So excited this was profiled.
First I’d never heard of Lookbook before.
Second now that I have I’m already totally hooked! I just wish the models where a little older.
Third I love the way they let you know where the clothes come from.
Ok, I’m just loving the site! Great idea about a million times better than any fashion magazine!
It is indeed a fantastic website. Its pretty cool to see the different styles that predominate in Latin America and Spain.
Just got back from the site. The fashion sense of these kids is amazing…the PHOTOGRAPHY is amazing!
i saw one boy from mexico! the photography is beautiful and the fashion is innovative, but there seems to be a lack of members who are 1) not thin and 2) of color.
This site is amazing but all the people are so SKINNY. Where are the curvy gals? Just sayin’
i loved this site muchissimo…but danitr0n and LaLa are right…in all the pictures (though gorgeous and professional), all the models are super-thin and there def isn’t as much diversity in the colors and shape of the models as there could be…
Hey could someone email me an invite please? I would be eternally grateful. Thanks!
cryslaro@yahoo.com
could someone please email me the invitation code:
rjmchardy@hotmail.com
thanks a million!
Please dear sir or madame…please send an invitation code….It would so wonderful !!!
chessie@gawab.com
I would love an invite code :)
christinetscmf@yahoo.com
I I would be also very pleased if someone could send me invitation code.
I love clothes and colours and I am not so skinnyskinny as most of the lookbook models.
Pictures of my outfits: http://meimei.tyylitaivas.fi/ or http://ihostas.devote.se/
My address: vilja_90@hotmail.com
please send me a invite code! thanks
Could someone please send me an invitation code?
-> kurenai737@hotmail.com
thanks
hey ! i love lookbook and i would know if it’s possible you send me the invitation code pleaseee
(sorry for the writing, i’m french :/)
thanks a lot :)
my adress : galadriel1989@hotmail.com
I would love an invite, if anyone could send me the code. I’m infatuated with fashion and all thinks stylish. I would really appreciate being able to join Lookbook because I think I really fit in to that style of photography and fashion in general.
Thanks!
ocean.mist.32@gmail.com
could you send me an invite code to lookbook.nu? that would be very great:) i love lookbook
Please, could you me an invite code to lookbook.nu !!!!
Thanks <3
Please, could you me an invite code to lookbook.nu !!!!
Thanks <3
My mail: chloe03340@hotmail.fr
Hey people, I would love to get an invite code because I’m TOTALLY addicted to lookbook.nu . my e-mail is haykylollipop@gmail.com and you can also see my fashion blog (to convince yourself I diserve to be on lookbook) which is http://hayky.wordpress.com . Please help me ppl, I will do anyhing I can to help you back if u wish! Thx.
hey everyone, can you be so gentle to send me the invitation code too? i am so addicted too at lookbook.nu i really wanna take part of it! i’ll be so happy to have the invite code.
lady-k@live.it this is my e mail
thx.
i have tried every code over the net. nothing works. would be thankful to have a code please!!! why not me? i ve got so much to share . i am a huge fan of lookbook!!
topikkafa@hotmail.com