Thanks to a Tuesday night “Fashion Goes Social” panel we had the opportunity to attend at the Rivington Hotel, we’re feeling inspired by the latest conversations and developments in fashion/social media. As part of Social Media Week here in NYC, this event was hosted by Rachel Sklar of Mediaite (which we’re excited to report is launching a site called Styleite soon), Yuli Ziv from MyItThings, Emily Gannett from Klickable TV, and Social Diva. Topics surrounded the oft-discussed (but always fascinating) evolving landscape of the industry’s traditional go-to-market model and the print vs. online smackdown — who carries more influence and over whom?
On point were panelists Deirdre Sullivan (Social Media, PR, & Partnership Director at IDEELI), Orli Sharaby (Sr. Social Marketing Strategist, Lifestyle at 360i) and Ziv.
Needless to say, our ears perked up when the discussion turned to…
1) Up High or Down Low: Do trends emerge from haute couture or street style?
At left, remixed street style looks from Looklet, on-the-street with the Sartorialist, and a look from the Weardrobe 100. Couture runway looks at right
This is, as panelists pointed out, about the creative vision, inspiration and fantasy of couture — as opposed to real human beings going about their daily lives (albeit very stylishly). Who’s inspiring whom and despite the tension between the two, are they more intertwined than may be obvious? According to Ziv, the most inspirational online style influencers are focused on unique pieces that represent who they are; and the key is mixing high and low. “There are no more trends, seasons are irrelevant,” she says. “They are all about putting their personality out there.”
2) The future of fast fashion, vintage and consignment
Fast fashion? It has it’s place, but — said panelists — for bloggers and new designers using social media to promote their brand, building identity and voice means pieces that feel fresh. “No one needs another jersey dress in this economy,” said Sullivan.
“People are consuming way too much,” said Ziv. “Now, I’m seeing people buying, wearing and selling to the next generation. These objects can and should be preserved — not something disposable.”
We agree. A quality garment has a history, a story that can and should be passed along.
Vintage bags, grab 'em while they're hot. From left: Louis Vuitton Neo Cabby GM; Chanel Vintage Floral; Bottega Veneta Clutch
Case in point: Almost all our vintage pieces — such as all the hot items we listed in this first post about Virtual Vintage in October (including my faves, the Dior floral pant) — get swiped up so fast it’s become hard to keep up. However, on a sad note the NY Post recently reported that many of the classic vintage shops on 7th and 9th streets in the East Village and throughout the city have had to close shop. Let’s hope that’s not the case. We need on and offline inspiration in our constant hunt for those iconic pieces around which to craft personal style.
