Geeky Fashionista Profile: Tara Theoharis

Tara Theoharis is an incredibly talented, statue-esque goddess of a woman. Despite being one of the most gorgeous people I have ever met, she is somehow one of the kindest and warmest people, as well. She blogs, models, acts, and generally embodies awesomeness and grace in every possible way. Her most noteable endeavor is perhaps playing Tiffany in the fantastic web series Job Hunters, or her involvement in the YouTube channel Satire - most of their videos go viral!

She is well spoken, interesting, kind, gorgeous, and has a classically chic style edged with geekiness that I feel most women should attempt to emulate if they want to infuse femininity into their geeky personality. That's why I'm absolutely thrilled that Tara is this week's Geeky Fashionista!


Molly: Tell me a little about yourself and why you're a geek?

Tara: I run the blog "The Geeky Hostess" and find it my mission to create the coolest geeky parties, find the neatest gifts, bake the tastiest cupcakes, and add a bit of feminine flair to the geeky community. I feel most at home at conventions, love board games, and spend a large part of my time watching awesome shows. My faves include Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, Dexter, the original Twilight Zone, and comedies like Arrested Development, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Community. 

When not catching up on shows and blogging, I spend my time in front of the camera modeling and making web content such as Job Hunters and videos for Satire. I'm a huge fan of memes and online culture (my day job is in marketing and social media) and have had a few different things go "viral," including one of my wedding pictures. 

Molly: How would you describe your personal style?

Tara: My personal style is classic with a hint of geek. I choose outfits and styles that flatter me and my body over what's the most trendy.  

 

Molly: What inspires you, fashion wise?

Tara: Seattle inspires me. I dress in layers year-round--you can almost always see me in a tank top, sweater, jeans, and boots. Plus, you can tell a true Seattleite by the amount of black and gray in their wardrobe.   

Molly: Who's your fictional fashion icon?

Tara: Ooh, that's a tough one! When the movie version of "The Devil Wears Prada" came out, I had just cut my bangs very similar to Anne Hathaway and got a lot of comparisons to her. Let's just say if I had the money, I'd totally wear all of her outfits. Hathaway rocked another great wardrobe in The Dark Knight Rises, and I'm doing my very first official cosplay as her Catwoman. So can we just say any fictional character of Anne Hathaway?  

Molly: Have you always been fashionable?

Tara: I've always had an interest in fashion, but you can find your options pretty limited when you're super tall all your life. Finding jeans that fit was a nightmare, and I couldn't find any shorts/skirts long enough to be able to wear to school without getting glares from the security guards. I'd say I became a bit more fashionable when I discovered a hair straightener at the age of 16.   

Molly: In Job Hunters, your character dresses very "preppy". Does this mirror your style at all? Was it challenge to portray this style?

Tara: Although I've always been a goody-goody and fairly preppy, Tiffany is definitely more preppy and girly than I am (and wears a whole lot more makeup!). However, many pieces of her outfits came from my closet, they were just pieced together in a way I never would have worn them. It was a challenge to wear them in the sense that I wouldn't wear them in real life, but the costumes themselves helped transform me into that character. I wasn't fully perky until I was in those clothes.   

Molly: You've modeled a lot. Did modeling affect your fashion sense at all? Do you feel more pressure to dress well as a model?

Tara: Modeling has definitely affected my fashion sense. You learn to dress in a way that is flattering and rich--you must balance the line between trendy and classic, and as a high school and college student, I needed to have a fashionable, designer look to myself that wouldn't cost much money. You learn which clothing lines fit you best, and you invest in a few more expensive pieces that are classic and flattering. For anything trendy, I add to my wardrobe from places like Forever 21. I find I dress in a lot more black and slimming pieces since being a model, and I've learned the importance of nude strapless bras and thongs! I definitely feel pressure to dress well when I'm at go-sees and jobs--it takes me forever to find the perfect outfit!   

Molly: As a particularly gorgeous girl who also happens to be geeky and fashionable, do you ever experience backlash or disbelief from the geek community? (ie: You're too pretty to be a geek, etc)

Tara: Yes. I could talk circles around this subject, but I try to stay away from controversy, and have found many other woman have already said what I wanted to. I try to show that it's ok to embrace your femininity and your geeky side. I shouldn't be embarrassed that I love to go shopping, and I shouldn't be embarrassed that I play Dungeons and Dragons. No one should tell you what you can and can't like.

Molly: Why do you think people have this sort of attitude towards pretty women who like nerdy things?

Tara: Companies have realized that geeks are a huge market to appeal to, and they know that similar to any other market, sex sells. It makes sense that attractive women would be hired to promote and sell geeky things. Because of this, an attractive geek in the wild can be seen as a marketing ploy or a gimmick. Guess what: there are a LOT of attractive geeks out there. And a lot of them are genuine! 

Molly: Do you think being fashionable while being a geeky professional is important?

Tara: Yes! As a professional, I like to give a pulled together appearance, but still put a bit of "geek" in there. A lot of men in my industry wear geeky t-shirts with a blazer, so why can't I? I incorporate geeky tees with blazers or skirts, or wear a more "normal" outfit with a piece of geeky jewelry. It serves as a great conversation starter without being too distracting or unprofessional. 

Molly: What's one article of clothing and one beauty product you couldn't live without?

Tara: I always have to have a pair of great fitting, designer jeans. They're the thing I spend the most money on, because I wear jeans almost every day and it's the only way I can find jeans that fit me!

For beauty products, I'm a lip balm/lip gloss junkie. The one I can't leave the house without is Philosophy's Kiss Me lip balm. It has the perfect consistency and leaves a nice natural shine. 

Molly: Any tips for geeks who want to be more fashionable?

Tara: Focus on finding items that fit you and flatter your body. No matter how awesome that geeky t-shirt is, if it's super baggy on you, it should be left at the convention. Don't be afraid to mix feminine with geeky, and wear items that make you feel confident. Everyone looks their best when they're confident and comfortable!

Make sure to check out Tara's amazing blog, which teaches me daily how to be a domestic geek.

Geeky Fashionista Profile: Brea Grant

I met the incredibly talented, breathtakingly beautiful Brea Grant a few years ago through an ex boyfriend. The ex boyfriend was complete rubbish and thoroughly smashed my heart into itty bitty pieces, but Brea was definitely one of the best things to come from that relationship. We don't see one another outside of cons (she lives in LA and I in Seattle), but when the two of us get together it's like oil and fire. We have a ridiculous amount of fun, causing trouble and generally being silly and having the best time we could possibly have.

That's why she was one of the first people that popped into my brain when I thought about who to feature for this week's Geeky Fashionista Profile. She's eloquent, wordy, fascinating, intelligent, and well dressed on top of all of this. You may remember her from her roles in Heroes, Friday Night Lights, Dexter... or you've read the comic she wrote with her brother, We Will Bury You. However you are familiar with this awesome lady (or even if you aren't!), there's no denying she is a very interesting young woman rife with talent.

Me: You have made a career out of being geeky, gorgeous, and well dressed to boot. What makes you a geek?
Brea Grant: For some reason, starting my career playing a geeky character on Friday Night Lights got me some acceptance in the geek community. For me personally, I've been a comics fan for a long time and started writing them myself a few years ago. I'm also a diehard horror and sci-fi fan - movies, books, tv shows. I'm a little obsessive. But in general, I feel like I geek out WAY more when I meet a comic artist or writer that I admire than when I meet someone on a show I watch (even when I watch it religiously).

Me: Have you always been fashionable?

BG: I've always had my own sense of style. Not sure if you can call it "fashionable." In fact, you probably couldn't. I shaved my head when I was 14 and wore skater pants even though I didn't skate. And that really solidified me as a little weird in my super small East Texas hometown. In college, I wore wife beaters and crazy skirts all the time, like polka skirts or super short red minis. And I had short blonde dreadlocks. I think a lot of my fashion choices came out of a sense of rebellion rather than an interest in fashion.

Me: How would you describe your style?

BG: Girly, vintage with an edge.

Me: Where do you like to shop for clothes and beauty supplies?

BG: A lot of vintage stores - my favorite is a place called Lemon Frog in LA. But I also love places like Crossroads where the clothes are used but much newer. I'll hit up Forever 21 and H&M as well. I'm also a fan of borrowing my friends clothes. I have a friend who never throws away anything so I feel like I can always find something awesome in her closet. I'm a fan of digging for the exact right thing no matter where I am. 

For jewelry, I like to wear things that are memorable to me - they usually mean something special like a necklace from India or a bracelet my boyfriend gave me. It's nice to have a piece that starts a conversation.

Me: What's the appeal of vintage?

BG: It's unique and you know no one else will be wearing it. For me, it's also built right. I am a tiny girl with big boobs and a pretty big ass. Vintage clothes are made to flatter that. A dress that would look good on Marilyn Monroe but not Kate Moss is far better for me. I feel like I was born in the wrong era.

Me: You're an actress and thus have to go to events where your picture is taken a lot. How do you like to dress for these sorts of events? 

BG: It depends. I try to plan. I try to wear something I haven't owned too long so I feel new and sexy in it. The biggest lesson I've learned though is to not be scared to change your mind last minute. I'll get all done up, have on the dress I was planning on wearing and then change it all for something that fits my mood more. If you're uncomfortable on the carpet, it's really obvious in the photos.

Me: What's your geeky fashion icon?

BG: I'd say early seasons of Sex and the City Carrie Bradshaw mixed with Layla Miller or Cassie Hack. I love an offbeat vintage look but my punk rock roots always manifest themselves in some way. If I'm wearing a sexy light colored dress, I'm probably wearing a black bra under it. And if I'm going straight up vintage, I'll probably wear some goth-y heels. I mean, I don't generally go for a Cassie Hack-style school girl skirt, but I wouldn't be opposed to it.

Me: What's one clothing article and beauty supply you could never live without?

BG: A necklace and concealer. My long necklaces go with me everywhere and I have big under eye circles that I hide before going ANYWHERE. 

Me: Do you have any advice for fellow geeky ladies who want to dress well and be fashionable?

BG: Do your own thing. If you're happy in it and are flaunting it, people will notice you. I mean, they'll think it's your clothes but it's really your sparkliness they're seeing. If I'm in a great mood, I find it doesn't matter what I'm wearing. Your mom was right - people are drawn to your inner beauty.

Brea and I wrecking havoc on the streets of SDCC!

Brea has an awesome twitter, and you should follow it. Check it out here.

Geeky Fashionista Profile: Janna O'Shea

Recently I was thinking about how I seem to be treated like a unicorn for being a huge geek but also dressing to the 9s and never leaving the house without makeup. I am confronted with the attitude that I couldn't POSSIBLY be a geek (I look too put together); I'm "trying too hard"; or I'm the only geek of the fairer gender who cares about her appearance. Um, what?

I know a ton of super incredible, geeky, intelligent, GORGEOUS women who have unique and incredible styles that should be looked to as trendsetters in our rapidly expanding sub culture. Women who are on fast tracks in their careers; high powered: the sort of people young women should look to as role models. So why not feature these incredible ladies and their unique style?

Once a week - every Tuesday - expect to see a profile on one noteable geeky fashion icon, with their words and images attached.

We begin this series with Janna O'Shea, twitter's comic book sweetheart and the Social Engagement Strategist for Disney. She has an adorable Mad Men esque style with delicious geeky elements, and is by far one of the most genuinely sweet and wonderful people I have ever met in my life.

Molly McIsaac: You're definitely a high powered, gorgeous, fashionable and geeky lady. What makes you geeky?
Janna O'Shea: I'm geeky about all sorts of things, but it all leads back to my love of reading. My parents taught me how to read when I was 2 1/2 and I haven't stopped since. My reading obsession wasn't limited to prose, I was also a big comics fan! Living in Europe opened me up to some amazing characters that weren't really popular at that time in the US. Asterix & Obelix, Tintin, and Lucky Luke were a big part of my childhood. Not only that, my brother and I were utterly obsessed with Archie Comics. I didn't start reading mainstream comics until a few years ago, but once I did, I was completely in love.

I'm currently working as a Social Engagement Strategist for Disney out in Los Angeles. Disney is a truly wonderful company to be a part of, and I love working on representing my favorite characters. My last job was representing Marvel Comics as their Social Media Coordinator in New York. I am a Marvel girl through and through (especially in regards to the Punisher) but my one true comic love will always be Concrete.

Thanks to reading all sorts of genres I became interested in many different areas of geekery. I'm a huge sci-fi fan, and eat up shows like Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica, and Stargate. My crime/noir obsession (which I inherited from my dad) rolled over to TV and movies. Historical biographies, fantasy novels, action and adventure tales, they all contributed to the interests that I have today.

Molly: Do you think it's important to be fashionable in a sub culture that at times turns its nose up at women who dress well?

Janna: For those of us who enjoy being fashionable, yes. Every woman has a vision of how she wants to represent herself to the world. Some women could care less what about what they wear, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Others like showing off their geeky interests, whether it is in their clothing, accessories, or hairstyle. Shaming women for how they look has been a problem for too long. If a geeky woman wears sweatpants and no makeup, she is told that she doesn't try hard enough. If a geeky woman wears a dress and pretty nailpolish, she's trying too hard. The list of insults and assumptions goes on and on. There are many definitions of a geek, but I have a personal description that I like to use. A geek is someone who loves something so much that it becomes an integral part of their life. ANYONE can be a geek. It is not an exclusive club, and making it one goes against all of the values that we hold dear.

Molly: On that note, WHY do you think the geek community seems to collectively shun its fashionable members? 

Janna: Many people believe that fashion and geek just don't go together. When you think of a stereotypical geek, what comes to mind? Glasses, some sort of obscure t-shirt, sitting at a computer? Sure, there are (awesome) women like that. But there are also women who wear lipstick, high heels, and write code that you can't even begin to understand. Fashionable geeks are shamed because their interests don't mesh with the stereotypical viewpoints of what a geek is.

Molly: Do you think you've always had good style?

Janna: Not at all! I still don't consider myself fashionable, I really just throw things together. I had a lot of trouble deciding how to represent myself as I was growing up. One day I would wear sweatpants, the next day, a skirt, the day after that, pajama pants. I just couldn't settle on what I wanted to look like because I wasn't comfortable in my own skin.

Molly: What do you think made you become fashionable?

Janna: A few years ago I realized that I really liked the way I look in dresses, and didn't like how I looked in everything else. That's when I decided to stock my closet with dresses and cardigans!

Molly: So, how would you describe your style?

Janna: I pair geeky jewelry and/or pearls with dresses, black stockings, and a cardigan.

Molly: What are some of your favorite places to get clothes?

Janna: I am a big fan of Pinup Girl Clothing and Bettie Page Clothing! Pinup Girl Clothing is an utterly fantastic website with a huge inventory. Whether you want a skintight leopard look or a demure black dress with a circle skirt, Pinup has the dress for you. My closet is mess of different stores that I've shopped at over the years, but these two are at the top of my list.

Molly: Who's your fashion icon? 

Janna: I absolutely adore Bernie Dexter's style. The hair, the dresses, everything is just gorgeous!

Molly: What comic book character has the best fashion sense?

Janna: Definitely Medusa of the Inhumans. She always looks flawless, whether she is decked out in royal finery or battling to save her people.

Molly: And that hair...! One article of clothing and one beauty product you cannot live without?

Janna: Black opaque control top stockings. I wear them every single day no matter what the weather. As for my beauty product, it would have to be red lipstick. The right shade does wonders for every woman!

Molly: Any advice or tips for geeky ladies who are looking to become more fashionable?

Janna: Find your own style and don't worry about what everyone else is wearing! You have to be comfortable in your own skin. I am the last person to know about fashion trends and I never have any idea what is considered fashionable. Your clothes should never make you uncomfortable or nervous. Wear whatever makes you happy!

Thanks, Janna! <3

Make sure to check her out on her amazing twitter, where she is always dropping lots of geeky news and insightful opinions: Janna's twitter