“There’s a difference between style and trends,” says twenty-two-year-old Derek Ho, “A lot of people will buy something, regardless of whether it looks good on them or not, just because it’s trendy. Style is all about knowing what suits you, not wearing what everyone else is wearing these days.” That pretty much sums up the style philosophy of Hong Kong native Melinda Wang and Derek Ho, the duo behind the fashion blog Ztylistas.

The two Central St. Martin’s fashion students and childhood friends started their blog two years ago. “The blog is our hobby, it’s a way for us to share things we like [in fashion] and also share our style,” explains Melinda. Their love of high fashion and individual style, plus Derek’s artistic photography of modelesque Melinda, have brought them much attention from fashionistas and major retail brands in London and Hong Kong.

This month, we invited the dynamic duo – currently interning at Hong Kong luxury department store Lane Crawford – to style a photo shoot for YesStyle, and asked them to share their blogging experience and unique fashion perspective.

So how would you describe your style?

M: Androgynous! I wear a lot of men’s clothes but I think I’m still very feminine. For example, I actually really like florals, but with a twist – it just depends on how you incorporate them. If it’s a floral pattern, I might pick it in a shirt with a manlier cut or if it’s a floral maxi skirt I would add a leather jacket so that it’s not too girly. I just don’t think the whole cute thing works on me [laughs].

D: [Melinda’s style is definitely] androgynous. I think it’s also a little bit American, very wearable and commercial. Even though she likes European designers as well, who are less commercial.

M: But we are also evolving. Derek, for example, is going through a phase now where he really likes shirts.

Do you do anything special to keep your readers coming back?

M: We noticed that there are more readers on the days that we post, so we realize that we should post more often, but we don’t want to stress ourselves out by making it a daily thing, like work, because it’s a hobby. And we don’t want to change that.

D: We don’t want this little side project or hobby to give us pressure.

Do you follow trends?

M: I look at trends but it’s more about what suits me. You can’t put all the trends on yourself! If I really liked leopard print for example, and it didn’t suit me, then I wouldn’t wear it. I feel a lot of people don’t get that idea. Trends are just good examples of what you can pull for that season. At the end of the day, it’s about yourself, because it’s your body and your face, so it needs to be something that matches you.

Melinda, you study fashion design. Do you make your own clothes?

M: I want to! But my designs are probably too futuristic or over-the-top and I can’t wear them normally. I’m trying to work on that now, because I actually really like commercial, wearable clothing, and I do want people to wear [the clothes I design].

Last question, how did you come up with your blog’s name?

M: Actually, we don’t really know how we came up with it! It’s a little weird but I guess we’re stuck with it now! [laughs]