Hiya, Wednesday. The weather in New York is horrid today- soupy, hot, and rainy. I'm not a fan. But I won't allow the weather to deflate my spirits, because I'm lucky enough to be at a really cool event called the IFB (Independent Fashion Bloggers) conference right here in Soho, on that stretch of Mercer Street which, coincidentally, is a danger zone to you fashion types (Phillip Lim, Rag and Bone, Joe's Jeans, Zimmerman, etc.).
I'm feeling empowered by all the wonderful people here, of which 99% are women. (We are the 99% indeed). I started this blog as a creative outlet, to share with the world my thoughts on all the things that move me. I never intended to be the next big fashion blogger, and I probably never will be. But these girls here have a real shot at some sort of fashion world celebrity status. They are all very young, beautiful, and full of energy. I'm amazed at the camaraderie between them- the fact that if someone catches your eye here they say hello and ask how you are is not typically fashion world behavior. And the same things I don't like about this conference and these bloggers in general are the same things I love- the lack of polish, finesse, and to be honest, plan for the next iteration of this game. Sure to someone like me who's been around the block more than once this seems a bit unprofessional and unsavvy, but it's also refreshing to be around talented people that admit they're making it up as they go along, and just enjoying the very fashionable ride. Oh and they're not breaking the rules, they're making them, one Celine handbag at a time.
And the other striking thing to me is the sense that a new era is dawning in fashion- one that is wholly democratic, inclusive, and accessible. And most of all, these young women are being given the opportunity to show their voices- who they are, how they see the world, how they like to express themselves. Many have argued that the business of fashion is a muddled and messy one for young girls- everything from poor body image to snobbiness to an exclusive air that is lost on everyone other than types with pedigrees and good last names. I'm happy to see that fashion 2.0 is all about female empowerment and expressing oneself- it's pretty exciting to watch this shift in action, and the democratization of fashion, something I've been in favor of for years with the whole high/low collaboration thing a la Target, is in no small part successful to the rise of fashion bloggers, who talk about how these clothes make them feel rather than just reporting the facts. How I wish back when I was a Journalism undergrad we had blogs- I always knew I could not be a hard reporter because I simply had too much to say, and often on my own behalf. Exciting times these- girl power is alive and well and wears designer shoes. And with everyone hemming and hawing about how entrepreneurs have taken a hit, I'd watch these peeps, and closely. They're doing it and doing it, and on their own terms- leaving jobs in the boardroom and starting businesses from their bedrooms.
And another thing that's striking as you watch panel after panel at this conference is how each speaker stresses the importance of having an authentic and personal voice- even if your numbers on your blog are not through the roof, having a voice that is all one's own is the name of the game- a voice that is real, authentic, and completely one's own. Which brings me to the DNR last night, and Mrs. Obama's amazing and chill producing speech.
As I watched her speak, I couldn't help but think about how badly the Republicans missed the boat when it comes to reaching women. Ann Romney tried to talk to all of us but failed in my book because she was reaching out to a nipped in waist, kid on each hip, pot roast serving Stepford wife, which is something I will never be. Cut to Michelle Obama- she of toned arms and conviction. The most important things in her life are her husband and her children, and somehow, I related to that because it was said with an authentic voice- with strength, passion, and wit. Michelle is a woman many of us would have no problem being- she is an individual who is quite simply, herself. You know where you stand with her, I imagine. And her speech set the tone for the convention and surely swayed some votes.
Today's communications, whether in advertising or politics or fashion, needs to be real. If you are a marketing type, you know that much is being made about personal brands and how important it is to get the balance right- on social media, in the C Suite, or how you present your unique collection of African necklaces. I'm very happy to live in an era where people are demanding something that is real. It's not about some old ideal of what it means to be a woman or human being that rekindles some idealistic notion of the American dream. In order to move forward, we can't go back- a slogan of the convention last night that bears relevance for us all. As I sit in this room full of hopeful young women looking to express themselves, I know that the only way to do this successfully is to just get real. Don't be afraid to be who you are- it's 2012 and either the world is going to end as predicted or as many spiritual types are saying, a new age of enlightenment is about to engage the universe in a new epoch. I'm going with the latter and hoping that an honest and authentic approach is going to save me from Mayan ruin. And though I may never be the next big blogger or have brands breathing down my neck to talk about their products online, it's cool. I'm happy to just say what's on my mind and hope you continue to be happy to read it.
Wherever you are today- in sticky New York or rainy Mumbai, just be yourself and feel empowered to speak your mind, regardless of the consequence. Republican, Democrat, Green Party, or fashionista- being authentic and true is the only way to get ahead. It's a post transparent age and right this very minute, it's just time to get real. And that's what's up this real deal Holyfield kind of Wednesday in NYC, yo. XO