Hannah Bucknam x The Edge
Developed from an Insta DM, Lydia Buckius and Allie Massello were treated to a Zoom interview with none other than Hannah Bucknam on April 12th, 2021. Hannah is a senior at Villanova University in Pennsylvania and in addition to being a full-time student, she runs a very successful array of socials including but not limited to Instagram and Youtube. Her platforms are fun, authentic, and trendy as she shares ootd’s, product, and lifestyle clips. Below are the questions and answers from the interview. Lydia and Allie’s questions are in bold and Hannah’s responses are listed below.
What inspired you to turn your personal socials into a fashion platform? Was this planned or did it develop naturally?
It developed naturally. I always considered starting a blog or a separate Instagram account but I already had a strong following on my personal account, so I began gradually turning it into something. I would love to make @HannahBucknam into more of a blog, but I am honestly a bit scared. As a college student, I still want to be accepted by my peers and not viewed as the strange girl who is trying to be an influencer. I am not one to get insecure, but I am hesitant about totally making my platform a fashion blog. I am excited to graduate and re-locate to NYC where I can fully be in my element and post more content. So, to answer the question it was not planned but it has always been a dream of mine.
What is your major at Villanova and what career do you hope to have after you graduate?
I am a Communications major with a focus in PR. This is the closest major offered at Villanova that encompasses all of my interests. Last summer I interned at a celebrity PR firm which was cool, but ultimately I would like to work in fashion or for an agency of some sort for two years or so and then become self-employed as an influencer full time.
Describe your style in three words.
Bold, girly, and independent.
Who are your fashion idols/who do you look at for inspiration?
I think everyone is going to see this coming, but Devon Lee Carlson, she is my person. I am a huge Wildflower phone case girl, and I actually started my Youtube channel after watching Sydney and Devon Lee Carlson and Maddi Bragg. I listen to any podcast on their family, how they got started is super cool. Essentially, Miley Cyrus got them started but you have to listen to their podcast all about manifestation, it is super cool (Devon Lee Carlson: Model, Co-Founder of Wildflower Cases-Friend of a Friend). Devon just does whatever she wants and is a total boss, I love her. I also pick up inspiration from when I am in New York and from celebrities like Bella Hadid, Devon Lee Carlson, and those kinds of girls. Social media is great, especially Tiktok, because you can see so many different outfits that people are wearing.
Current favorite trend?
I am really into printed swimwear. I think it is going to be a really fun Summer for style with knitted dresses, bright colors, and prints.
Check out these suits:
Roller Rabbit, Frankies Bikinis
If you could only shop from one brand/fashion house for the rest of your life which would it be and why?
For me it would be Chanel, which I feel like is a generic answer but their handbags are everything and it’s timeless. Choosing Chanel would be a decision that I would not regret. I also love Balenciaga which I feel is a hot take and when you think of designer brands it’s not one that immediately comes to mind but I love Balenciaga. So, it would be one of those two. Again, I feel like Balenciaga is an edgier fashion house and it is much more trendy as it falls under more of everyday wear.
Do you have a favorite publication or favorite influencer that you check up on regularly for fashion inspiration and ideas?
I am sad to say I am not a big reader, that is something I would like to get into but I am a huge podcast girl. I love listening to podcasts when I take long car rides especially from school to NYC. Some of my favorites are How I Built This, Breaking Beauty-Glossier, and weirdly enough, The BFF podcast is amazing. Josh Richards who is on it talks about the metrics behind Tiktok and how influencers make money which is super interesting to me because again that is my goal eventually, to be an influencer full time. The podcast is also really fun because they talk about Tiktok drama. So instead of reading, I am a big podcast listener. You get to really hear the tone of voice in a podcast which I really appreciate but I wish I read more. (...maybe The Edge can make that happen)
Can you offer any advice to people in college who are interested in fashion and lifestyle vlogging/blogging and want to be influencers?
My biggest advice is to get started right away. My biggest regret is starting “late.” I just wish I would have done it sooner, because you learn so much as you go and you never know when you will become the next big thing. I always tell people “why are you waiting?” This sounds morbid, but you literally never know what will happen tomorrow so just go for it. The only thing you’re maybe going to face is rejection or haters. I have gotten plenty of hate for no reason but you have to understand that it is inevitable and in the podcasts I listen to, they all twist hate in a really interesting way. They say that hate comments and hate viewers are making us money and they think they are bringing us down but they are giving us views, so at the end of the day they are only helping us. Literally anyone in the public eye is receiving hate, even Oprah who is a great person. Even she gets hate because you are not going to please everyone. So, if haters are what’s stopping you, you have to just get over it and do what makes you happy. Instead of being mad when I receive hate I feel sorry for the person and wish them better. People have crazy things to say but you have to turn it into feeling sad for them because they must really have nothing better to give off in this world. So if anyone is hesitating I say just do it now because why not and the internet is incredible these days. If there’s a fair chance for anyone in this world it’s right now and you literally never know what’s going to happen. Social media is really helping any average person take off randomly. All in all, just go for it and be kind to others too because we need more uplifting people in the comments.
What are your favorite pieces in your closet?
I would say one I wear the most is this jacket, I literally never take it off. So my Moncler jacket; an amazing investment piece even if you don’t live in cold weather. My favorite piece of jewelry at the moment is my Chrome Hearts ring. And another piece that everyone should go out and buy is the Prada Nylon Bag. It’s not that expensive, it is like $700 which in the grand scheme of handbags is really not a lot and it fits so much. I know everyone has it, but I think it is a staple that everyone should have because I run around with that bag and nothing has happened to it and I get so much use out of it. I definitely think that if it goes out it will come back in style so I would say that because it is an affordable piece and it is literally indestructible. For shoes, I am a big sneaker girl, I absolutely love my off-white dunks. But definitely, the Prada Nylon Bag in black is my favorite piece in my closet right now.
Thank you Hannah for joining us here at The Edge. We love your authenticity, positivity, and style!
Check out Hannah’s Socials:
Instagram: HannahBucknam
Youtube: Hannah Alice
Tiktok: Hannahbucknam
VSCO: hanban3