My life: Diane Pernet

B Most people don't know I had a career as a successful fashion designer before I launched my blog, A Shaded View On Fashion. My designs were minimal, elegant, sensual and never vulgar. I like to make women feel strong and beautiful. For me, it was not about wearing clothes that draw attention - perhaps that's why I dress in all-black now; it's a similar philosophy. Funnily enough. people presume my designs were all dark, too, but I loved colour. I just never liked to wear it.

I moved to Paris on a whim. In the late 1980s, New York was being devastated by the Aids epidemic. I lived in West Village at the time and practically 80 per cent of my neighbourhood was wiped out. Everyone was depressed and I just wanted to get out. I knew that if I wanted to stay in fashion, I should head to Europe. I ended up moving to Paris in 1990 and have lived there for 24 years. I've never been a Francophile, like other Americans, but I like it there.

I fell into writing by accident, when a Japanese magazine called Composite asked me to do a story. This led to more writing gigs for elle.com and even Joyce magazine in Hong Kong, where I (became) the fashion editor. In 2005, I met this model in Milan and she asked me if I would be interested in trying out this new software called life-blogging. There were blogs at the time but few covered fashion so I decided to go for it. I liked the freedom of writing online. I am more image-driven - I don't think of myself as a great journalist - so blogging was perfect. I have never monetised it, nor do I plan to.

I actually studied film, so I'd always dabbled in various projects before I founded A Shaded View On Fashion Film seven years ago. It's a travelling showcase which holds competitions for short films within the fashion, style and beauty genres around the world. After promoting designers for so many years I wanted to concentrate on directors. I really want to get the fashion industry to understand the importance of hiring real directors to promote their brands. Film is such a versatile medium - too many brands shoot a campaign first and then do a film as an afterthought. Why not do a film first and pull a campaign out of it? I hope to establish a foundation or fund to support directors. That's what I want my legacy to be.

I always like discovering new talent. I am fortunate enough to be in a position to help young designers and it's something I like to do. I recently judged a competition at Beijing's Tsinghua University, which included students from all over the world, including many Chinese. The secret to becoming a good designer is to somehow express your own culture and how it relates to you, instead of trying to be something we know already exists. It's important to have your own voice and find your own signature. Before that, you need to learn the craft.