Austen Tosone

Austen Tosone is a fashion and beauty writer, editor, blogger and content creator based out of New York City. Austen previously worked on staff at Nylon and Interview magazines, and in the last year she’s been expanding her career. Today, she writes fashion and beauty stories for publications like Fashionista, Refinery29, The Zoe Report, The Cut, and more.

Austen is also the voice and face behind Keep Calm and Chiffon, a digital world she originally created in 2012 to document her outfit photos over her summer vacation. Her blog incorporates elements of her background in magazine journalism to create a unique digital destination for readers to visit and discover Austen’s perspective on new fashion trends, beauty products, travel guides, career advice, and life in New York City. This year she also launched her first e-book, Right On Pitch, where she shares tips and tricks she’s learned as a magazine editor, fashion and beauty blogger, and freelance writer to help you get your ideas out into the world and get paid for them.

Austen has truly embraced the freelance life, and she’s learning to set boundaries for herself and her work, while also making time for self-love and wellness. Her love for storytelling drives everything that she does and creates, and it’s been so wonderful to connect with her and learn more about her work and her journey. I’m so excited for you guys to learn more about Austen and her journey, and to connect with her and follow along!

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

I’m Austen Tosone, a freelance fashion and beauty content creator living in New York City. I write fashion and beauty stories for publications like Fashionista, Refinery29, The Zoe Report, and more. I also create content for brands appears on my blog, Keep Calm and Chiffon and my social media platforms. I also do editing and copywriting for fashion brands. I just launched my first-ever e-book Right on Pitch, where I share pitching templates, strategies and more for anyone who is looking to improve their pitch game.

How did you get started?

I moved to New York for college when I was 18 and during any downtime and summers I interned for fashion magazines. I got hired at Nylon after graduation and it was my dream job. When the print magazine folded and I got laid off, I was heartbroken and didn’t know where I’d land next. I went on to work at Interview Magazine for eight months before they folded, too. I honestly just started freelancing as a way to make money in between jobs, but little did I know I was laying the groundwork for the next chapter of my career.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

I love that as a freelancer I’m in total control of what kind of assignments that I take on and how many I can juggle at once. I have always been a storyteller and that’s what I aim to do through any of my writing or digital content—help convey a story to an audience. I love being able to partner with fashion and beauty brands on my Instagram account and YouTube channel because those are two big passions of mine that fit organically in to the work I get to do now.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is storytelling, which I definitely get to live and experience every day. Whether it’s sharing the story of an up and coming designer for a national publication or introducing a new beauty brand to my audience in a paid YouTube video, I love being able to share stories with others.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

I love being able to connect with other freelancers and female business owners and share stories, tips, and business strategies with one another. I believe that we are all stronger together and having the opportunity to learn from other women who own businesses is invaluable. I also just love living in New York and am so grateful and energized to wake up here every day and do the work I love.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I really try to keep my phone in my bag whenever I’m out with friends, family or my boyfriend so I can stay connected in the moment. I love being able to spend quality time with people without mindlessly scrolling through Instagram and only being able to absorb half of a conversation. One thing that also helps me is setting a few routine things for myself since technically I work on my own schedule. My alarm goes off at 7:15am every day and I feel ready to get up and get on with my day. I’m also close with my family and really value the time we get to spend together.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

I think she’d be thrilled! I was always coming up with businesses when I was younger from a lemonade stand to a greeting card business to knitting scarves and selling them to classmates and I think on some level I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and be my own boss.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

Lately it’s been “start before you’re ready.” I didn’t know exactly how I wanted to format or sell my e-book but I knew I wanted to write one so I started with a Google doc of just the content I wanted to include and the design and logistics fell into place later. I did the same thing with my blog seven years ago and it’s moved across three different hosting sites and has been redesigned several times. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be something.

What is your biggest dream?

To continue to be able to write and create content for a living, to travel the world with my boyfriend, and to empower other women entrepreneurs and female founders to follow their passions and turn them into profitable businesses.

To learn more about Austen you can connect with her on Instagram @austentosone Twitter @austentosone Pinterest @austentosone and on her blog http://www.keepcalmandchiffon.com. To learn more about her e-book, Right On Pitch, click here.

Joy Corner is a new interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here

Austen Tosone - Freelance Fashion and Beauty Content Creator