Facehunter party in Auckland

The web is overloaded with people who think others want to know what they have to say or think or feel. Some love them, some hate them: the infamous (and not so famous) bloggers.

So what enables one to become well known, read often and respected, while others remain insignificant and anonymous? The answer to that question was apparent upon meeting international blogger Yvan Rodic, a.k.a. Facehunter, at the Designer Direction party at the Plaything Gallery in Newton, Auckland.

Personable, lively, extremely friendly, funny and in true Parisian style, impeccably dressed he was... But what more would one expect from an internationally followed and renowned street fashion photography extraordinaire. Currently living in London, Swiss born Yvan left his home of Paris to chase and capture the aesthetically pleasing punters traipsing the streets and avenues of hip town and cities throughout the globe. Finding, as his website states, “eye candy for the style hungry”. And chase them he does. 

“I can't talk right now, give me ten minutes, I can only take photos in this light, meet you inside soon,” he said, desperate to snap the few chic hipsters worthy of publication as the last rays of sunlight slipped over the horizon.

Man at work: Yvan photographing a girl outside the gallery

Meanwhile, we enjoyed the icecreams, lollipops and homemade muffins that were on offer.

David Grrr at the party.

Once inside, with no more daylight to be seen, Yvan ever so kindly took a moment to chat. First he surveyed my outfit (unfortunately put together in a rush after a flat tyre left me time-poor) then proceeded to point at the small birthmark on my chest. “What’s that?” he asked. “It could be sexy!” Whatever was going through that brain of his came straight out his mouth.

Olivia interviewing Yvan; coincidentally wearing matching his and hers outfits.

There was more than meets the eye with this fashion follower; as despite his initial slightly innocent and charming exterior, Yvan was far from superficial or flippant as one could easily expect from such a profession. In fact he came across a savvy business man with his finger on the pulse of everything cool, marketing himself shamelessly but managing to stay tasteful. An obvious reason for the party put on for his readers.

“I’ve met so many Kiwis abroad and they’re very interesting people, so I had to come. Actually, I would be stupid not to come here.”

And he was right, what better way to gain publicity than partying with the very people who visit his website every day in search of style inspiration.

“Auckland’s been pretty fun, but it’s been difficult to deal with so many people and take pictures as well, as a lot of people look very good around here. Including yourself...” he said. (Why thank you Yvan!)

After only being in New Zealand 36 hours, the blogger of four years had already picked up on New Zealand fashion sense.

“People here are pretty individual, especially after Australia – who are more on trend and cool, but more predictable. Here, they’re more hit or miss because they don't have access to big brands. But in the end it’s a positive as there are fewer stereotypes. It’s more subtle and creative. I like it,” he said.

Below, Victoria Green and right, Caroline Atkinson at the party.

Colin Mathura-Jeffree, Belinda Nash and Glen Yungnickel

I realised by the end of the night that Yvan Rodic had wholly won me over. What stood out was his ability to put people at ease – possibly the key to his blogging success. It struck me that this was in stark contrast to some well known New Zealand ‘fashionistas’, often too cool for school, but for what reason and gain?

Perhaps we can take more than just style inspiration from this on-to-it blogger.

Check out his blog at http://facehunter.blogspot.com/

Olivia Boswell, 25 November 2009.
Photos by Rosie Tuck