Monday, September 29, 2008

No.Way.

According to the bloggers over at IndependentFashionBloggers.org, ModePass.com is the new hot social networking site, and I can't say I disagree. After just recently becoming a member and taking a quick inventory of the site, it seems to be legit and a great avenue for young trendsetters, fashionistas, photogs, bloggers, and cinematographers to get their work out into the interwebs for others to enjoy and comment on.

Even with the extremely limited information I have on my profile I've already made five contacts. They're all from France and their profiles are all in French, but that's okay. Being able to actually read their information would be awesome, but reviewing their photography and design work is interesting and inspiring. I believe that if this network skyrockets, as I hope it will, a portal of communication between young aspiring artists will blossom.

Just to be fair and balanced, I do have to say that the site is kind of difficult, and trying to customize a profile is really geared toward those with already established portfolios, but if you're just starting out and looking to browse, check out the competition out there, and make connections with those who share very targeted and specific interests-Modepass is where to go.

Check out the site and add me as a contact (username: youarefancied)!

a

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Because at the end of the day, we're still friends

You know what I love? When the four fashion capitals get together and gab it out over scheduling. The article, provided by none other than Yahoo!News, gives a brief overview about the meeting held between the fashion capitals of the world and how due to good negotiating, London was spared of losing half of their Fashion Week in the next autumn 2009 season.

What I really like most about the article are the statements made by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman. He refers to how the meeting, "...has highlighted our interdependence, commitment to nurturing talent and our sharing of ideas and goals." That's an excellent example of exemplary peer relations within the industry, because not only do these people compete against each other every season, but they also have excellent social personal skills outside of the business realm. The Fashion industry is one of social politics and everyone (for the most part) plays the game very well.

a

Monday, September 15, 2008

Something out of the ordinary

Viktor & Rolf are debuting their most recent collection on the internet during Paris Fashion Week.

Here's their 2005 Spring Collection. It's my fave.
Part 1


Part 2


Debuting on the internet? For everyone to experience at THE SAME TIME? Brilliant. Bringing the clothes to the masses and the elite simultaneously.

So to tie this into PR just a little: Do you think that putting all of their target audiences on an equal playing field is a smart idea?

Keep in mind that they have to cater to their investors, those belonging to the industry hierarchy, and consumers (those who can actually afford the clothes). Is taking the exclusivity of experiencing the show first going to upset the Fashion Elite? As a Fashion Peon, I'm more than thrilled, but let's be honest, all I can do is drool over the clothes. Actually purchasing and supporting the duo monetarily is not something I'm currently (or will ever be) capable of.

Regardless of the outcome, I'm certain the clothes will be phenomenal.

a

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Call me, beep me, if you wanna reach me

How many times a day do you check your Facebook/MySpace/Twitter/LinkedIn/blog/personal e-mail/school e-mail/professional e-mail? More than you should? Not enough? I don't know about you, but I'm constantly on the internet keeping updated on recent happenings/tweets/comments. There's no doubt about it, staying on top of all these avenues for communication can be time consuming and a lot of work. Some would even say these networks are robbing us of our abilities to make connections and communicate on a personal level.

According to Jeremy over at POP! PR Jots, we are "slaves to technology". He encourages his readers to turn off the computer and pick up the phone or actually make the effort to meet in person and discuss business.

To his assertions about technology and its role in PR today, I say this: technology is a very important tool with the supercharged pace at which business these days is conducted. That's just the way it is. Sure relationships with those of the press are important aspects that need to be nurtured and looked after on a more personal level (i.e. the telephone or an actual meeting), but for day-to-day work/planning/research/etc. the computer and the significant number of networks available online are incredibly important and do an excellent job at aiding those in the PR field with theirs.

What do you think? Do you think those in the PR field rely too much on technology or do you feel it's necessary?

a

Monday, September 8, 2008

I'm not worthy: The force that is Kelly Cutrone

Kelly Cutrone is "vlogging" on her adventures during Fashion Week for New York Magazine and seems to be doing some serious work. Here's the last video from the series called The Cutrone Minute. I encourage you to go and watch the whole series on the New York Magazine website. It's a great peek into the world of what actually goes on when the money and clients are counting on you.




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p.s. If you're interested, here's a link to an entry on the work Marc Jacobs showed today. The reviews are good-as they should be.

The most wonderful time of the year

No, I'm not talking about Christmas. Fashion Week 2008 is here...well, it's been here for three days now, but nevertheless, it's here! Glitz, glamour, and clothes are swirling about NYC as we speak and with all of that comes the media blitz. To keep up with, as The Virgins so adequately put it, "who's been wearin' what with who" live bloggers and You Tubers are blowing up the interwebs with videos and up-to-the-minute posts about the happenings.

Here's an entry from model, Flavia de Oliveira found on the USA Today blog. Having a model from Fashion Week live blog throughout her day is an excellent use of the technology and targets the audiences (fashion enthusiasts) very well.

Read it over and relish in the fact that her day might be helter skelter, but for many of us in the GCSU Mass Comm Program, that's nothing new. Hey everybody! We're high fashion and didn't even know it.

Below are a couple of videos. One is of the Betsy Johnson (one of my all-time favorite designers) runway show, and the other from the aforementioned band The Virgins. Enjoy!











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Saturday, September 6, 2008

Take me down to the paradise city...

...where the streets are busy and the clothes are pretty. Take me home. As many of you already know, I spent a month of my summer in swingin' London and had a whale of a time. To be quite, honest, saying that "I found my place in the world" would truly be the understatement of my lifetime. Ever since my return, dreams of Fashion and PR have been swirling around my head and the scheming to make it back across the pond has been a never-ending process.

While perusing PR Couture (which has become one of my blog-reading must haves), I found an entry written by Jenny Raja about her experience as a Fashion PR intern in London. Besides being able to feel the envy come oozing out of my very being, I felt a little reality check come lightly tapping on the corner of my brain. During her stint in London, Jenny had a great time, but she also makes mention of meticulous clothes/merchandise sorting, hours of quality time with her Microsoft Office programs, and the jaded attitudes of her older and more experienced co-workers. All of these downsides are not aspects of the job I had considered, but I mean, naturally. One doesn't usually drool over a dream career day and night and think about the endless nights of paperwork, long flights, and stress that could potentially lead to hairloss. It wasn't all bad though and the glam factor definitely didn't eldude her while she was there and acutally made quite a few cameos from the sound of things.

Despite the hairloss, I'd still give my left leg to enjoy and experience an opportunity like that.

Hope everyone is having a right proper week end.

a

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Wise words from India

Because clients can be difficult and opinions have a tendency to clash, interactions between PR practitioners and their clients can sometimes be a bit strained. In her entry, PR with Sahridayas, Madhavi Mukherjee from India PR Blog discusses the ancient Indian theory of communication called Sadharanikaran (say that three times fast). I love the idea of their being an open flow of communication between the audience and those targeting them. It's a give and take on both ends that both parties benefit from. I hope you'll take some time to read the entry and get a better idea of what Sadharanikaran is all about.

Namaste,



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