When you hear that runway models are thin, that the fashion industry doesn’t like to eat, and that Fashion Week is filled with pretentious, rude, over-dress snobs –you think that for the most part, it’s just a myth.
Surely, things can’t be that stereotypical. Surely the models aren’t that thin. Surely the fashion industry isn’t as icey as Anna Wintour herself.
However, the models were that thin. Food wasn’t exactly flowing, while the champagne most certainly was, and I wasn’t exactly bowled over by people’ friendliness.
But – I’m not complaining.
I find Fashion Week’s absolutely fascinating, and I have a love-hate relationship with the fashion industry. It’s a freak show. It’s awe-inspiring. It’s disgusting, it’s dark, but for some reason I really loved it.
I’m perfectly happy being in situations where everyone is an attention whore and wanting to have their photos taken by The Daily photographers or anyone else with an SLR ,as it means it’s easier for me to duck in and out of things, blend in, and do my work.
Unlike a lot of journalists and fashion bloggers there, I was at Fashion Week to work. Not to be seen. Not to drink champagne. Not to freak out over celebrities on Twitter.
If that’s why you were there, that’s fine. Your prerogative. However, what I don’t appreciate is that that Press Accreditations were given out as freely as those little bottles of Chambord.
As a result, the exhibitors and designers were a bit wary when people came up to them, their press creds slung over their neck, digicam in hand, touting that they’re from “The ____ Blog” and would like to take their photo.
I mentioned before that I was curious to see how bloggers being allowed into LFW as press would affect anything, if at all, and to be honest, the only impact I saw or felt - aside from the fact that I recognized people, was a negative one.
As much as I am all for bloggers being embraced by designers and the high street – let’s have some quality control.
Not every fashion blogger out there is Susie Bubble, or even the next Susie Bubble, and that’s a good thing. The reason people like Susie are allowed into certain shows or invited to this that and the other by the likes of Topshop and other brands is because she works her well-dressed ass off.
But, to the fault of many a PR agency, people don’t understand that not all Bloggers are of the same calibre, and therefore, just because someone says they’re a fashion blogger, it doesn’t mean that they write and take the same standard of photos as Mademoiselle Robot or have the same influence as Susie.
I cannot be the only person who noted that they apparently let anyone and everyone in as "press".
I actually like things being exclusive, even if it means that I cannot get in. Even if I am on the outside.
It means that I need to try harder, or do something different, or wait a year. Maybe it means that I need to grow a little more. That way, when/if I do get in, I know it means something.
When PR agencies and brands just throw around the term “fashion blogger” or “press” without any real clear definition of what that means, or to what standards those accredited are being held to, it brings down the value of the credentials. The quality of the coverage goes down. Those press passes and golden ticket invites to Jaeger mean less.
I am not one to buy into high-fashion bullshit or think that I am unworthy to breathe the same air as Alexa Chung.
However, I do respect the fashion industry as a powerful and influential British Institution, and so I respect what London Fashion Week is about. I respect the designers both big and small. I respect how damn lucky we all were to be able to meet designers at the On|Off Exhibition, and that it was a privilege to see Peter Jensen’s collection up close and personal.
While journalists already barely had a leg to stand on when it came to appreciating the things they’re given or allowed to attend – the combination of both bloggers and journalists being lazy and indulging in every free thing they can get their WAH-nailed fingers on drags those journalists and bloggers who do work their asses off and care and respect what they’re doing through the mud.
I am honoured and excited that blogging has become mainstream and that they are finally “worthy” enough of press credentials to certain events and conferences.
However, we need some quality control. A bit of vetting.
Remember when Twitter went mainstream? The amount of Spam increased. You had fake accounts left and right, people who didn’t believe in having meaningful conversations or sharing interesting things they’ve found online – instead they just constantly Tweeted links to things they’ve done. Or asked you to look at their "hot pix".
Blogging has become the same. Everyone thinks they can do it –and with the help of Wordpress they can – but that doesn’t mean that they can do it well. Or professionally.
Or to a standard that should deem them as “press”.
Image via Foxtongue's Flickr