Whether we like it or not collegiettes™, we are living in an age ruled by ever-changing technology. Technology that was once static has become social and interactive. The Internet has undergone a major makeover. Once used for the basic and traditional, like e-mail and news, the growth of the Internet has fostered a new kind of social network. And no, I’m not talking about Facebook. I’m talking about blogs.
Blogs are a mix between an online diary, a photo album, and a computerized coffee shop. You can post pictures, write entries, and connect to people with similar interests. For many, blogs are an outlet to express themselves and their passions. The subject of the blog is truly up to the blogger. There are political blogs, health blogs, parenting blogs… the list goes on. But there is one type of blog that has gained a lot of attention and press in addition to earning a lot of revenue. What type of blog is this?
It’s the fashion blog.
Fashion is known for welcoming the new and the avant-garde with open, cashmere-covered arms. So it’s no surprise that the fashion industry wasted no time before jumping on the blogging bandwagon. Fashion bloggers have become a new and elite breed in the inner circles of the fashion world. They are as esteemed as fashion editors and famous movie actors, often seated in the front row of major fashion shows. Fashion bloggers have become the new celebrities, landing modeling and photography gigs, designing clothing lines, and styling photo shoots for major magazines such as Vogue and Elle. They have also made bank through advertisements and sponsorships. Some fashion blogs are estimated to earn up to six figures on advertising alone.
One of the most fabulous fashion bloggers is Rumi Neely of Fashiontoast, winner of the Blogger of the Year award at the 2011 Bloglovin’ Awards.
Fashiontoast’s Rumi Neely
Rumi Neely started her blog, Fashiontoast, in 2007 to document her nonchalant, easy yet edgy style of dressing. The response to her self-styled photos was enormous. Since then, her blog has grown into one of the most visited fashion blogs, earning 35,000 hits per day in 2009. Through the blog, Neely has launched a lucrative modeling career. She is represented by NEXT modeling agency and has been featured in Forever 21, RVCA, and Free People ad campaigns. Despite her shorter stature, she even walked the runway for Rebecca Minkoff during New York Fashion Week. Neely has also kept to her styling roots, having designed collections for Dannijo jewelry and RVCA.
Tavi Gevinson: The Style Rookie
Fashiontoast is just one of many highly successful fashion blogs. Style Rookie is another blog with celebrity status. Tavi Gevinson, the creator of the Style Rookie, is deemed a fashion prodigy by the fashion world. She started the blog at 11 and now, at 14, she has gained a huge following of over 50,000 readers. For many months, people believed that the author of the Gevinson’s blog was a fashion insider. Much to everyone’s surprise, the exquisite taste and witty commentary was coming from a mere 11-year old.
Gevinson has become a muse for the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte. She was the inspiration and head stylist for Rodarte’s Go International collaboration with Target. Not bad for a middle-schooler. She has appeared on the cover of Pop Magazine and in multiple issues of Teen Vogue, Vogue, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar. What’s next for the Style Rookie? She has joined with magazine editor Jane Pratt to launch a new teen magazine. With all these opportunities, Tavi Gevinson is definitely no longer rookie.
Rusted Revolution: BC’s go-to fashion blog
Here at BC we have our own celebrity status fashion bloggers: seniors Lesley Burr and Lucy McBride of Rusted Revolution. These girls keep Boston College up to date on trends with their helpful how-to’s and inspirational style. These girls are making their mark on the fashion world with their new etsy shop, selling one of a kind and original jewelry.
Photo Sources:
http://www.newstex.com/publishers/blogs-on-demand/
http://thechicbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/blogger-of-day-fashiontoast-rumi…
http://dropyourskirt.wordpress.com/category/shopping/
http://news.softpedia.com/newsImage/13-Year-Old-Fashion-Blogger-Tavi-Gev…
http://rustedrevolution.blogspot.com/