Influential NYC Blogger of the Day: Man Repeller

Man Repeller

Leandra Medine is a New Yorker to the core. Not only was she born and raised in the bustling city, she also attended the Ramaz School on the UES and then hit the books in Greenwich Village’s The New School, where she studied journalism (an apt major, as it turns out).

While sifting through the racks of clothing at TopShop way back in 2010, the then-21-year-old experienced a lightbulb moment. It was there — amongst the hanging garments — where Medine came up with the idea her successful blog, “Man Repeller“.

“We were laughing at how everything was so man-repelling: acid-washed harem pants and enormous shoulder pads, and I just said, ‘That’s it! That’s the blog,’” she tells the NY Times.

And so from there on out, Medine photographed herself in various outfits showcased trends that surely many men would meet with a side eye. The idea of the blog wasn’t to turn men off, necessarily, but to play up the fact that women’s fashion is just that: women’s fashion. Women tend to dress for themselves and for each other and not to woo the handsome fella sitting in the corner. It’s the confidence that does the wooing, not the sequined blazer or sky high stilettos.

The Man Repeller blog still lives on today. What’s especially cool about the Man Repeller, aside from its brazen “I do what I want” mentality, is that Leandra Medine was barely at the legal drinking age when she founded it. And it exploded virtually overnight!

Where is Man Repeller today?:

In 2012, Forbes featured Medine in their “Top 30 Under 30” issue, TIME included the blog on its “25 Best Blogs of 2012” list and it received the title of “Best Overall Blog” at the 2012 Bloglovin’ Awards.

The Man Repeller blog is still going strong, but Medrine has more on her plate, these days. She’s either got an amazing PR agent in her ear or she knows how to capitalize on her blog’s popularity.

In addition to mingling with front rowers at various fashion shows, she’s launched a capsule collection at Beverly Hills’ Neiman Marcus (dubbed “Man Repeller x PJK”). Additionally, Medrine released her debut memoir in late 2013 — at the age of 24, mind you — titled, “Man Repeller: Seeking Love. Finding Overalls.”

Why is this blogger successful?

There’s something about Medrine’s blog that’s relatable and unfussy. That, paired with her keen sense of style and wit, makes The Man Repeller an undeniable hit. Often people comment on her age and “being so young!” for the success she’s found (we did it here…), but Medrine would have been a hit even if she was 31 when she founded the blog.

What do you think about the Man Repeller blog? Do you think Medrine’s celebrity status was rightfully earned? And what do you think about her style?

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By Wendy Rose Gould