After the fashion week madness, I was left questioning whether livestreaming almost every fashion show was the appropriate route for the fashion industry to take. It seems, Vogue and the CFDA were listening, or at least I feel as if they were— insert fashion remake of the new HP commercials.

As part of Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) this fall, Vogue and SPEC Entertainment will be hosting the largest public fashion show in the history of New York Fashion Week.

On September 7, 2010, Lincoln Center will be hosting approximately 1,500 fashion lovers lucky enough to get their hands on tickets before they sell out. These people will watch about 200 models walk the runway in Vogue-worthy fall trends.

Part of the ticket sale proceeds will go to New York City AIDS Fund.

Since the CFDA and Vogue are in the mood to make groundbreaking changes to the fashion industry— public fashion shows and a fall show during spring/summer fashion week— can we please have a little powwow about the treatment and compensation of interns?

The topic has been on everyone’s mind lately, and if you two major powerhouses say, “jump,” the rest of the industry will ask, “how high?” How about let’s start with compensation for commuting or something, that’s easy, right? Thanks!

p.s. Those stores planning on taking part in the FNO festivities on September 10, can register now. The deadline is June 15, 2010.

“We need fashion shows, but that’s industry, it’s not for the general public. All the communication has to stop. It doesn’t go out on the wire, it doesn’t go out on the Internet, it doesn’t get out for the manufacturers to copy the designs. I mean, we’re killing our own industry… There’s too much information going out there. We have to learn the word restriction,” said Karan via Fashionologie.

As a fashion blogger, I can’t honestly recommend a complete internet blackout or blacklist. However, during the last fashion season, I found myself feeling overly inundated with fashion events. Countless designers chose to livestream their fashion shows while photographs of most of the other shows were available for all to see on various websites soon after the shows finished.

“There is no excitement about anything anymore as everything is available immediately and all the time— you don’t have to wait for anything… I think it’s too fast and too fake,” said Isabel Marant in an interview with Grazia UK.

Though the idea of democratizing fashion seems wonderful, fashion is anything but a democracy, and as an industry, it has thrived this way for many years.

Livestreaming Fashion Shows

This season, anyone who was willing, could watch livestreams of fashion shows from design houses big and small. During New York Fashion Week alone, some of the shows whose invites are most sought after, were shown online while happening simultaneously in some hip NYC location.

For lesser known labels or brands who tend to have a mass appeal and price point, making the streaming the fashion shows live online is a wonderful way to garner publicity and potentially reach a new consumer. However, in my opinion, there is a time and a place for incorporating such digital media tactics in a pr plan, and with some brands, the access doesn’t work with it’s mission statement and that inclusiveness shouldn’t be forced simply because everyone else is doing it.

The image of many luxury brands is built on exclusivity. By using such tactics as livestreaming, it seems like a contradiction in values when the fashion show is available to anyone who is willing to watch at the same time as the invited fashion elite.

That being said, I’m not yet part of said fashion elite, and the first time I was able to stream a fashion show online, I was elated.

Post-show Internet Coverage

Though, I’m not yet convinced of the merits of livestreaming for all brands, I do believe on having websites and/or blogs cover a fashion show after the event— this coverage can be from someone who has attended the show or simply seen photos or edited videos used for review/commentary purposes.

Having images of fashion shows online soon after the show occurs does make it possible fast-fashion retailers to copy designs, but being completely exclusionary toward a newer form of media and those consumers who are interested in digitally following the work of their favorite designers and brands could prove detrimental to an industry already struggling because of a weak economy.

Also, for fashion pr, embracing social media aids in the evaluation of fashion show post coverage. Fashion week is something that unites all fashion blogs and simply going through a brands fashion week online press hits will help pr practitioners find new sources interested in their client’s brand while making it easy to evaluate the credibility, based on fashion knowledge and willingness to gain such knowledge, of a blog. Without some access, this post-show coverage wouldn’t be possible.

Like most things, accessibility is a double-edged sword, but will this newfound inclusiveness in fashion be its ruin? Only time will tell, but perhaps fashion, for once, should follow Aristotle’s Golden Mean and live between the extremes. Everything doesn’t always have to be all or nothing.

Talk Back: What are your ideas of including the public while maintaining a sense of exclusivity and prestige within the industry?

Ethics…

I had a philosophy class about ethics, once, and my professor was promptly fired for calling another professor a douchebag and telling him to do Oedipal things to his mother. Needless, to say that class was more interesting than helpful. The next couple of years, ethics in terms of Journalism and Public Relations had been beaten into my brain, however the “Navigating Ethics Pane” at the Independent Fashion Bloggers Evolving Influence conference I attended on February 15, left me struggling internally.

“To be a good PR professional, you have to, first, be a good journalist,” is the mantra of my many public relations professors.

“Never, NEVER accept gifts from people or brands you are writing about. A journalist is supposed to remain unbiased,” tout my journalism professors all having either worked at Newsday, The New York Times or both.

“Getting free stuff for writing a blog post is like the barter system,” exclaims a semi-scandalous blogger at the IFB conference. What can only be described as a rant by said blogger, went downhill fast after making slightly anti-Semitic generalizations about the Jewish people (read about it here).

None of this information is helpful in the blogging ethics situation.

Even the discussion had between the panelist of the “Navigating Ethics Panel” at the blogging conference— The New York Times‘ Carl Hoyt (also, a Pultizer Prize winning journalist), What I Wore’s Jessica Schroeder, BlogHer’s Gina Garrubbo, The Business of Fashion’s Imram Amed, A Shaded View of Fashion’s Diane Pernet, Still in Berlin’s Mary Scherpe, and jewelery designer/blogger Wendy Brandes as moderator— left things quite unresolved.

Carl Hoyt takes the stance of The New York Times and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) about accepting gifts.

“Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity,” states the SPJ Code of Ethics.

Many will argue, bloggers aren’t journalists, and to be quite honest, when it comes to writing for Pink Rock Candy, I do not consider it journalistic writing. I consider writing on PRC more personal commentary, though I don’t believe this gives me leave to act unethically when it comes to honest content. So, why should I have different ethical standards in terms of gifts?

Others will remark, fashion editors are regularly gifted items, a notion Diane Pernet, who is also the co-Editor-in-Chief of Zoo Magazine, will not contest, however she does say these gifts are nice but never does she feel forced to write about said gift. Does accepting, but using personal judgment to remain unbiased make accepting gifts ethical? Is this practice too trusting of a blogger’s personal judgment?

I’m not regularly offered free goods for blogging, and if I am, either the offer seems like a bribe and I decline or the offer comes after I’ve already written a post and rarely do I ever write about a brand more than once.

If I am offered and do accept a gift after writing a post, do I have to go back and write an update saying I’ve received said item after this feature from the brand?

Also, I intern regularly, and have received items as trade/pay for my hard work. Is it unethical to omit that I did not buy said item with cold hard cash but a clothing allowance? (As a side note, I always admit if the brand I’m speaking about is a brand I’ve worked with.)

In terms of the larger blogging community, and not simply my little self-obsessed universe, would it be helpful to create some sort of blogging code of ethics? There may be no true way of enforcing it, but simply having said code written out and online so bloggers can refer to it if ever they have an ethical dilemma may be helpful. There is the FCC FTC regulation (Thanks, Wendy B. I must have PR class on the brain), but that doesn’t touch on ethics just disclosure two similar but very different things.

It’s obvious a longer discussion needs to be held about blogger ethics.

Were any of you at the panel or watching it online? What did you think? Also, what do you think should be done about the unwritten rules about gifts, disclosure, and blogger ethics in general?

This is a fan only affair, so make sure add Rachel Roy on Facebook before the mad dash to buy all the goodies happens.

Happy shopping! ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/02/08/dont-forget-rachel-roy-facebook-pop-up-shop/feed/ 0 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/02/04/celebrities-need-to-get-a-grip/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/02/04/celebrities-need-to-get-a-grip/#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:29:55 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1690 Blake Lively and Elettra Wiedemann front row at DVF’s S/S 2010 show.

Celebrities are like evil step-children to the fashion industry. You deal with them for the sake of your spouse— the public, in fashion’s case—but you generally wish they would simply go away. I’ve met and been around my fair share of “listed” people, from A-list to D-list, but seeing and meeting them is very underwhelming to me, and compared to meeting designers or editors, the excitement is negligible. So, when I read “How Much Fashion Brands Pay For Celebrities to Sit in Their Front Rows” on Fashionista.com, the outrage at the rates paid to celebs for sitting front row almost outweighed the bemusement of the post.

Here, on Pink Rock Candy, my celeb name dropping is few and far between. There are a few starlets whom I believe actually love and appreciate fashion the way industry insiders and even us bloggers do, and I respect them for that. The males of the celeb-world are a different story complete, but suffice it to say, they are generally chalked up to eye candy.

Being informed that some celebs are getting paid almost six figures to sit their meticulously toned tushes in a front row seat many people, fashion lovers and socialites alike, would give anything to fill, kills me.

I know public relations enough to know celebrities are a necessary evil, but charging a fashion brand to enjoy it’s latest work in one of the best seats in the house is a bit excessive. To me, that process is almost as ignorant as it would have been to charge Michelangelo to create a sculpture for you, as if it was an honor for him.

This may come as a surprise to many celebrities, but their presence at fashion events though often, and unfortunately, is a necessity to gain public notoriety, is anything but an honor.

As my little brother once said of homework, “It’s a have to do, not a want to do.”

What do you think of celebrities charging fashion brands to grace the front rows with their presence?

Photo Credit: Style.com

Rachel has teamed up with soulful and sexy songstress Estelle to create a limited edition jewelry collection for the Rachel | Rachel Roy brand. Though the line, featuring statement necklaces, bracelets and earrings ranging from $34 to $50, will be available in stores, those tech savvy fashionistas can get a sneak preview and partake in a completely different VIP shopping experience on the Rachel Roy Facebook page (fans only) starting February 9th and lasting three days.

What can be more exciting than that?

Well, this gorgeous full-finger petal ring— it reminds me of the irises that grew in my childhood garden— was designed by Rachel and Estelle to give as gifts to their closest friends and family (besties, mothers, aunts, daughters, etc.) and if you’re desperate to be one of the beautiful people or just adore the uniqueness of the ring, you can score this hot commodity exclusively during the three-day digital pop-up shop too.

Now, there’s actually a good excuse to spend your life on Facebook! ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/26/a-different-kind-of-pop-up/feed/ 1 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/25/you-can-hate-but-you-cant-escape-fashion/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/25/you-can-hate-but-you-cant-escape-fashion/#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:53:50 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1632 On Friday, there was a article published on The Guardian entitled, “Why I hate fashion,” in which the writer, Tanya Gold, speaks about her journey from being fashionably absorbed to leading a fashion-free existence.

As I read the article I could hear Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly spit, “This… stuff?” before she launches into her rant about Andy Sachs’ “lumpy blue sweater.”

It wasn’t the linking of a sixteen-year-old girl’s unfortunate death to her high heels or Gold’s insinuation that the industry I love is oppressive that infuriated me. It was her reasoning for escaping what she remarks is “one of the ultimate evils in the universe.”

“The oddest thing rescued me from fashion. It was that I got fat,” says Gold.

Not only, is there an entire article bashing an industry that is inescapable to those who choose to live in modern society— Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society”— but she insinuated that those who aren’t skinny and are in turn, “fat,” cannot participate in “fashion,” or more precisely, be fashionable.

Are there as many high fashion designers who cater to the size-10-and-up crowd as there are who cater to their smaller counter parts? Most definitely, not. That, however, doesn’t mean larger women, and men, for that matter, are completely excluded from the cycle and can’t be fashionable. Quite frankly, I think the argument that her weight played a part in her escape from this strange meta-world called Fashion is idiotic, even knowing how high fashion designers cater to the lithe. If you truly think about it, there are more people in the world who can’t afford to purchase from high fashion designers than there are people who are “fat,” and when it comes to mass retailers and fast fashion, the scales are infinitely more balanced (no pun intended).

So, Miss Gold, I must channel Miranda Priestly again when I say, though you may view yourself as “fat,” you, I’m assuming, have yet to joined a nudist community and still wear and buy, from time to time, clothes/beauty products/home goods— all things that are influenced by fashion trends— making it “sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry.”

Yesterday, blogger, Yuli Ziv said “I’m so over high/low Target collabs. Sorry, Jean Paul…” via Twitter, and honestly, I kind of agree.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Target for their great prices, forward thinking, and ability to purchase clothes, make-up, tampons, green tea, Pop-Tarts, and a toaster to heat the snacks up, all under the same roof, but the Go International collaborations have simply, and constantly, let me down.

They’re like a crush-worthy celebrity. In theory, he’s perfect, hot and successful. He even looks amazing in pictures, but if you do manage to ever meet this hottie— because generally they’re off the market or unavailable for some other reason— he totally let’s you down. That perfectly groomed five o’clock shadow is more of a five past five o’clock mountain man beard, and those chiseled abs you saw in a photoshoot last week were definitely airbrushed, though his modest beer belly does prove impressive because they were begotten on during his accent to beer pong champ at his local drinking hole. If you can manage to overlook his slight imperfections— hey, nobody’s perfect— after the first couple of date’s you realize you only liked him because of his name and the relationship falls to pieces.

Generally, you end up disappointed and angry, but even this doesn’t stop you for crushing on the next hot thing to grace the silver screen.

As much as I adore most of the designers, the collections generally aren’t cohesive, the fabric selection is terrible, and though the prices are remarkable compared to the normal price of one of the designer’s duds, the piece of clothing is bound to fall apart. “Why buy a designer dress only to know I won’t have it in 2 or 3 years?” I always ask myself. However, with every collection, I get excited and head to Target the day it’s released in hopes of finding that jewel. The one piece that is as great in theory as it is in actuality.

Jean Paul Gaultier, Zac Posen, and Tucker are up next, and part of me is tired of the disappointment, but I can’t help but be a little excited.

Photo Credit: Fashionista

In fashion, there will always be a newer, hotter trend, designer, or style icon, but it’s the controversies that really get people buzzing. First it was all about the lack of diversity in the fashion industry, but it seems plus size is the new black for 2010.

The lines are drawn, skinny vs. curvy, but I’m not sure which side to take. V Magazine is playing the part of Vogue Italia with their Size Issue which hits newsstands January 14th, 2010. The images from the Terry Richardson shot “One Size Fits All” photoshoot pits Jacquelyn Jablonski against Crystal Renn in a zero vs. not zero, no-holds-barred, pose-off designer duds, in an attempt to prove designer clothes will look good on anyone— who can afford them, that is.

Now, they’ve just released a second photoshoot entitled “Curves Ahead,” and it wasn’t the pictures many of the models wearing next to nothing and looking fierce as all hell that piqued my interest. It was the comments I read on OhNoTheyDidn’t, the first of which was “gross” followed by a “mte” (my thoughts exactly), that made made me stop and think.

Since when was it not okay to have a full figure and be proud to show it off? Isn’t confidence supposed to be sexy?

To be honest, I know what designers mean when they say clothes hang better on tiny, tall girls, but I also realize it’s unhealthy and sometimes down-right impossible for most girls to be a double-zero. I’m not saying I’m about to buy my official team curvy girl “Booty is Beauty” t-shirt because, let’s face it, I’m not really all that curvy, but I do think women can be beautiful no matter their jean size.

The most disheartening comment was written by someone who claimed to also be plus size, “as a plus sized person…this array makes me want to go puke up my coffee and crisps.” A comment that led some to express shock, while the commentor went on to say, “yes well i have lots of hate for my own body. seeing it in picture form only makes me feel worse…i’m munching on new years candies and silently berating myself while enjoying and loathing every bite!”

It scares me that western culture’s ideal of beauty has become so skewed women not only loathe their own curves, but other’s because of what it represents to them. Part of me feels as if V Magazine is only giving this size debate lip service to cash in on a new trendy controversy, but another part of me hopes this makes some small impact not only on the fashion industry but on all of western society.

I for one have done two of the three, but after hearing about Fashionista University, I might just have to cover all my bases.

For those who haven’t heard of Fashionista University, here’s details:

Fashionista University was started by designers Kathlin Argiro, Courtney Zellmer and PR Guru Gwen Wunderlich hoping to fill an “educational void for teens interested in the fashion industry.” Each FU course lasts for 7-weeks (only Saturdays) and is open to middle-school through college-aged students in the New York area. Anyone who registers for a FU course will have the chance to take part in celebrity, editor and guest designer appearances as well as have access to fashion shows, showroom events, publishing houses, TV stations, maybe even Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York.

The upcoming winter semester begins on January 16th, 2010 and registration for either of the two available $600 courses ($1000 if you take both), PR Prep 101 and Fashion Design 101, ends on January 8th. The spring semester starting March 20th, 2010 will be offering the PR Prep 101 and Fashion Design 101, wardrobe styling/costume design, event planning, and jewelry/accessory design. Spring semester registration ends March 12th.

Follow to jump to read a little more about PR Prep 101 and Fashion Design 101.

“Fashion Design 101
Over the 7-week course students will get a firsthand account of running a small business in the fashion industry from designers Kathlin Argiro and Courtney Zellmer. Students will learn how to create a collection from start to finish- from inspiration to presentation and everything in between using examples from Kathlin’s own collection, high-profile guest speakers, and actually take steps toward creating their own line. Students will learn about fabrics and how to use them, color stories, sketching basic fashion figures, story boards and presenting a collection to learn more about themselves as first time designers.

P.R. Prep 101
Fashionistas who are on top of the latest trends and are interested in being a part of the buzz, glitz and glamour are perfect for this crash course in the exciting field of public relations. Gwen Wunderlich of Wunderlich Inc. will help students begin their journey to becoming the next “it” publicist by sharing her expertise in the field, including her background of starting her own company from the ground up. Throughout the seven weeks, Gwen will introduce different aspects of the business that will help each student develop their PR skills and teach them the necessity of being connected. Students can expect field trips to the city’s hottest spots including a trip to the fashionista holy land – New York Fashion Week. “

My favorite design duo— sorry, Mulleavy sisters, Misters Dolce and Gabbana, and Misters Badgley and Mischka— the Proenza Schouler guys, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, just launched an e-commerce store on the Proenza website. Right now, it only has a couple key chains and a couple bags, none of which are the PS 1, I desperately want, but I’m assuming, down the line, the stock will be more plentiful.

I know, the launch of an e-commerce store isn’t really a big deal, but the laggard in me gets excited knowing I now have access to window shop— God knows I can’t afford any of the things I want— designer’s collection without having to sift through e-commerce sites for department stores or leave the comfort of my own home, for that matter.

Am I the only person that gets this excited about being able to shop online, but doesn’t actually buy anything?

Yesterday, an article about the last New York Fashion Week held at Bryant Park was seen in WWD, and since then, all I can think of is how sad I will be to see it leave the location for it’s new Uptown home at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center.

I’ve only been to NYFW a grand total of three times— though, I guess, to most people, going to NYFW three times is a feat— but, I will be sad to see everything change.

I only have one request of Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Lincoln Center’s new director of all things fashion week. Please have a nice discussion with MTA and get them to fix all the construction issues with the 1 train. It would also be nice if you can make it so the train runs more often during non-rush hour times too— I’ve stood on the platform waiting for the 1 train for almost 30 minutes during a non-peak hour.

Goodbye, Bryant Park. I will never forget the memories I’ve had almost breaking my ankle in 5″ heels on your cobble stone ground. Perhaps, In February, everyone will be able to take a piece of the last Bryant Park tent with them— Fingers crossed!

Photo Credit: Stylist Stuff

Watch the video:

The winner is announced on November 16th.

Everything, including shoes and handbags, is priced between $20-$50 in US sizes 0-15 and will be sold at select JCPenney locations and JCP.com starting November 6th. A subsequent full release will happen sometime in February 2010.

For more information about Olsenboye, including upcoming events, visit Olsenboye.com.

I can’t say I’ve been an Ungaro fan for years upon years, but within the last five years I have definitely brushed up on my designers including Emanuel Ungaro and Esteban Cortazar, the house’s last Chief Designer who left the label this Summer after rumors swirled of disagreements regarding, celebutante and sometime-actress, Lindsay Lohan being some sort of style adviser for the label.

Apparently, the rumors were true, or at least true enough for the gossip maven in me, because along with naming Estrella Archs as the new Chief Designer of Ungaro, Mounir Moufarrige, the President of Emanuel Ungaro worldwide, announced Miss Lohan as the Artistic Adviser.

What that means in general and for the brand is anyone’s guess, but I truly think we’re going to see a lot of fashionably ruffle feathers. “Mr. Ungaro’s success was based on his genius for design and his controversial eye to whom his consumer was,” said Mouffarige, and if, in fact, his intent was to cause controversy, he has succeeded.

Do I think Archs is going to give Lohan full control over the line? No. Will she listen to Lohan’s input? Maybe. Will Archs completely ignore the would-be fashion designer’s input and simply use her famous name to garner publicity for the label? That’s also a possibility.

I could hate on Lindsay for being given the ability to mold a fashion brand that created my favorite skirt ever, but honestly, that would be a waste of time and energy. I envy her for having that power, and hope that whatever she does with it doesn’t make a mockery of one of a the wonderful Emanuel Ungaro name.

Actually, since I sort of like Lindsay— Mean Girls is such a guilty pleasure— I hope Lohan excels at this position and shows all the naysayers that she can be more than just a party girl.

p.s. We’ll get to see the results of this pairing come, October 4th, when Ungaro shows at Paris Fashion Week, and Lindsay and Estrella take their first bow as part of the Ungaro team.