Who is Disneyrollergirl?
The beginnning
Almost four years ago I started a blog. Working as a fashion editor by day and doing extra freelance writing by night, I still didn’t feel I had the opportunity to say what I wanted to say. On a mainstream magazine, fashion is about visuals, the few words you may write are headlines or rehashed press releases disguised as ‘news pages’. Yet beyond the obvious trend reports and new product launches, there’s a whole world of fashion that the average person doesn’t get to see. I decided to blog about it.
The middle
I didn’t set out to be an anonymous blogger but the fact that no-one was reading the blog and I hadn’t told anyone I was doing it meant I could quite easily write about anything and everything blissfully undetected. I would blog about press days, fashion shows and industry gossip quite hidden behind the veil of Disneyrollergirl. But as I started to enjoy blogging and engaging with other bloggers, it became harder to hide. At the same time, the teen magazine I worked on folded and I went freelance. I could blog even more as my hours were more flexible and the work more varied. The blog attracted some regular readers and PRs started to invite a few bloggers to their press events. Most of the time I was able to attend these press events as the real ‘me’ and still cover them on the blog.
Then something happened. Practically overnight, the fashion industry fell in love with blogging. Everybody wanted to engage with bloggers and invite them to their bloggers’ breakfasts, lunches and teas. Having quite enjoyed being invisible up until this point, suddenly the novelty of managing two identities wore off and I chose to out myself to a couple of PRs. As expected, one PR told another, who told another and soon the identity of ‘Disneyrollergirl’ was an open secret in the industry.
The end of part one
At the same time, I realised that blogging was developing into something bigger. In the journalism world, content and commerce were merging as online publications also became shopping sites and fashion etailers upped the quality (and frequency) of their fashion content. Bloggers were being courted and consulted by brands and some even had their own Youtube channels. I made the decision to redesign the blog to incorporate some more features and as the blog reaches its fourth anniversary, the new look Disneyrollergirl is almost ready to be unveiled (but alas, not quite). The blog content will continue as it always has done but of course, I can’t stay anonymous any longer!
So thanks for reading this far, I hope you’ll stay for part two…
Navaz x
30 January, 2011 @ 12:34 pm
Wow, so much respect for you and what you've done. I will be staying to read for as long as you're writing!
x
30 January, 2011 @ 12:37 pm
yay Navaz! Welcome outside in the sunshine!!!
xxxxxxxxxx
30 January, 2011 @ 12:38 pm
Hey there – it's nice to finally meet you. Love the blog. Well done!
30 January, 2011 @ 12:42 pm
:o
Cannae believe it, you outed yourself haha!
Cute girl, like the blazer!
30 January, 2011 @ 12:43 pm
Navaz, it's so nice to finally 'meet you' on here! I'd actually realised who you were at LFW last season (we spoke very briefly and I recognised your Wah zebra manicure on the blog that evening), but kept it to myself out of respect for your anonymity.
Hopefully this makes life easier, not more difficult, for you! And yes, very much looking forward to part 2.
Miss B xx
30 January, 2011 @ 12:43 pm
Nice to see you finally revealing your identity. Can't wait for the new look DRG either, remember you talking about some of those ideas back at the last fashion week so it's exciting they'll soon be happening.
30 January, 2011 @ 12:44 pm
Hey Navaz, I knew one day you would show your face.
Every time I see you and chat to you on press days, my blog friends (always) nudge me curiously 'Who is she?' I reply 'Oh, she's a blogger'
A sigh of relief and excitement! Can't wait to see you at LFW!!!!!
30 January, 2011 @ 12:46 pm
I absolutely love that you have done this post. I have followed your blog for quite a while and have seen you at a couple press events. Even though your identity was known, people still treated it with secrecy. Glad you have stuck with it. Cant wait to see what's to come. xx
30 January, 2011 @ 12:49 pm
And there was me thinking I was the bearer of a huge secret because I knew the 'real life' identity of Disneyrollergirl! ;-)
Can't wait to see the new look blog =)
MrsL xxx
30 January, 2011 @ 1:08 pm
I've been a reader of your blog for a couple of years now, and bizarrely it was only the other day that I googled 'who is Disney Roller Girl?'.
It's nice to see the person behind it!
Looking forward to seeing the new look!
30 January, 2011 @ 1:10 pm
Ah how wonderful! Even though I've known who you are for a long time, it's still great that you are now officially out as the lovely Navaz xx
30 January, 2011 @ 2:05 pm
Good for you – I always read your blog and thought you were very informed
30 January, 2011 @ 2:07 pm
I certainly will be around for part 2 xx
30 January, 2011 @ 2:21 pm
Hello Navaz!
I've thoroughly enjoyed reading Part One and can't wait to see the new look Part Deux!
Keep it up x
30 January, 2011 @ 2:24 pm
Ahhh the secret is out! Hello Navaz! I'm very much looking forward to the new look DRG xx
30 January, 2011 @ 2:31 pm
I can't wait and wish you all the best on your new venture.
30 January, 2011 @ 3:16 pm
Great to see your lovely face on the blog Navaz. Even though I have met you in real life, I still like to see pictures of the person who is 'talking' to me now and again on blogs. It helps to make things more personal and human. Looking forward to the next chapter :) x
30 January, 2011 @ 3:18 pm
i am glad you are showing off your pretty face now. it certainly belongs out of the anonymous closet xxo
30 January, 2011 @ 3:37 pm
Hey navaz, Great news you've revealed yourself! Can't wait to see the new look site! x
30 January, 2011 @ 3:44 pm
Yah Navaz you are in the flesh on a Sunday – brilliant and much deserved after all your hard work. Does that mean I not longer refer to you as DRG in public!! xxx
30 January, 2011 @ 3:53 pm
Navaz, yay! Things can only get better. xx
30 January, 2011 @ 4:14 pm
So nice to see the real you! Can't wait to see what's coming next.
30 January, 2011 @ 4:33 pm
I respect that, Navaz, your blog is a force.
30 January, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
Wow this is so exciting!
I'm sure you will continue to inspire
with the new blog.
30 January, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
Wow, so many lovely messages! A lot of you know me already and it's true you have been amazing at keeping the mystery alive for so long, ha ha!
Penny, you're right, I agree that seeing a face does help to add 'personality' to the blog, but rest assured I won't plastering it everywhere…
30 January, 2011 @ 5:36 pm
So lovely to 'meet' the face behind Disneyrollergirl, have throughly enjoyed reading your blog for a long time – really looking forward to seeing the blog's new look unveiled, and to following part two of your blogging story….
30 January, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
I've had the pleasure of meeting you before in the summer with the lovely wendyb but I definitely admire how you've managed to stay somewhat anonymous for so long! Very much looking forward to seeing the revamp!
30 January, 2011 @ 6:06 pm
Well hello world, Navaz. Congratulations on your outing and I look forward to seeing your new website.
30 January, 2011 @ 6:09 pm
Who cares…?
30 January, 2011 @ 6:18 pm
Me and Claudia never told a soul, I swear and will be sticking around for part two xx
30 January, 2011 @ 7:06 pm
Glad to have met you a couple of times (no. 2 at FBC last week!!). Someone asked me who you were, and I just fluffed something. Awesome that you're now "out". Here's to part two!
M xoxo
30 January, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
Congratulations beautiful Navaz on your reveal x
30 January, 2011 @ 7:25 pm
Oh how nice! Well I'd already met you before reading your blog ;-) Can't wait to see what you will do next!
30 January, 2011 @ 7:50 pm
Congratulations on outing yourself and here's to an exciting 'part 2'
As I'm relatively new to the fashion industry (finally landed myself a job as a Fashion Assistant, yay for me!) I'm one of the few on here who didn't secretly know who DRG was so it's great to finally put a face to the amazing blog I love so much.
Good luck for the future.
Carly. X
30 January, 2011 @ 8:43 pm
Ah congrats on your unveiling DRG! Looking forward to the new look site and part two of your blogging journey. Love the suitably voyeuristic self portrait – very fitting!
30 January, 2011 @ 9:04 pm
Congrats on 'coming out'! Can't wait to see what's next for the blog x
30 January, 2011 @ 9:19 pm
What a great story. Huge successes to you!
30 January, 2011 @ 9:32 pm
Bloody Hell! What a brave post :) Lovely to finally meet you, it's weird, I envisioned you to look totally different than on your picture! (first, I thought you had blonde hair,haha!) Definitely looking forward to part two xx
30 January, 2011 @ 9:44 pm
Even though I know you in the real world, I think it's brilliant that you're out of the blogger's closet!
30 January, 2011 @ 9:55 pm
Wow! I thoroughly enjoy reading the blog. Congrats! x
30 January, 2011 @ 11:45 pm
Look forward to reading part II Navaz x
31 January, 2011 @ 10:27 am
Keep on rockin'! :)
31 January, 2011 @ 1:24 pm
Ahhh, I love reveals! Its funny but I had a feeling! : )
31 January, 2011 @ 3:38 pm
Lovely to meet you Navaz. Just to say that your blog is one of absolute favourites and was a big inspiration when I started blogging too, so thank you!x
http://millyfellintothewardrobe.blogspot.com/
31 January, 2011 @ 4:46 pm
Well Hello! It feels funny seeing you here as I've already met you in person! So excited to see new look site – good luck with the final unveiling! xx
31 January, 2011 @ 10:41 pm
huzzah! hello!
1 February, 2011 @ 12:06 am
I know I'm late to this post, but it's such a pleasure to meet you. And what a lovely face you have.
3 February, 2011 @ 12:58 pm
Muchos respect for this post and looking forward to the newness you speak of! :)
Take care x
3 February, 2011 @ 1:56 pm
We're so behind but so excited to read this news!! Enchanté Navaz :)
6 February, 2011 @ 10:58 am
Darn, I can't believe I missed this one! A huge congrats on deciding to reveal the genius behind this blog, I hope you've been happy with the decision, I think it can only be a good one!
Khatija
6 February, 2011 @ 8:08 pm
;-) nice to see you to see you niiiice .. nice one chick xx
7 February, 2011 @ 12:21 am
I can't wait to see the new design, love that picture xx
8 February, 2011 @ 10:20 pm
Wow, although I love anonymous voices it's great to finally meet you!!
xx from a secret admirer!