Awwwww

Patricia Mears with Carol Lim & Humberto Leon

Ok, it's been a while...and now I'm back.

Recently I have had the opportunity to attend some talks at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) where I now take some classes. First, I saw Garance Doré, world famous blogger (with 80 something thousand unique hits per day) talk about how she got started- and she was just SO nice. Then, I saw Humberto Leon and Carol Lim from Opening Ceremony talk about how they got started (interviewed expertly by the eternally elegant Patricia Mears from the Museum of FIT- one of my favourite NY secrets). They filled the house and everyone eagerly awaited their answers in the Q & A session- I mean, they founded the hottest store in New York then branched out, trailing coolness in their wake. Well, they just came across SO nice too.

I was confused- where was all the pomp and circumstance demanded by these fashion folk? What did they mean- reach out to us, we love to hear from you? We helped other stores, we share resources sometimes, we all help each other. What was this crazy talk?

WHEN DID FASHION GET SO SOFT? Hey, I'm not complaining. I've been working in fashion since high school and I've worked for and seen some of the biggest divas in action- I mean, we secretly called my first boss Evil-lyn instead of her given name, Evelyn, she was such a nightmare to all in her employ. I learned a lot from them (especially in the what not to do department) and lived to move onto bigger and better things, but isn't fashion about stabbings in the backs and bitchiness? No one helping each other so there can only be one queen bee? Apparently not, according to these guys.

While that might not be completely true for all, I have to say it was really refreshing to see some humanity and hearing that people were helping each other. We know this happens but usually only so someone looks good and gets a PR opp (or lots of dosh) out of it.

And then last night I saw Grace Killelea speak. She's not in fashion- she was speaking as a guest of the Advertising & Marketing dept (of which I'm now part of) and she told her story. It was one of fighting her way to the top, helping others and having them help her back. Of working with grace and dignity and refusing to settle when she thought she deserved more. She stressed working hard and KINDNESS- to ourselves and to each other.

OMG, that's it! In these times where everyone is expected to do more for, and with less, a little kindness goes a long way. Isn't there enough for everyone? How much of the pie does one person really need anyway?

These people, who started with a few ideas and a lot of determination have made themselves into something pretty big and are now sharing their stories and telling us that they're just like us- now that's great PR.

What do you think?

Storm in a Teacup

Apologies for it being so long since I posted. I was busy (blah, blah) and then I was in Australia doing the family & friends thing. While I was there, I attended the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival's business seminar. During such seminar Australian Vogue's EIC, Kirstie Clements, made a statement that has had the internet slightly abuzz (especially as Australia hardly gets any fashion attention outside some fantastic designer exports). When I heard it I was surprised, bordering on shocked and fashion journalist Patty Huntington responded with an immediate tweet. What was this scandalous statement?
In a discussion with Calvin Klein's EVP of communications, Malcolm Carfrae, she asked him if they deleted negative comments off of the Calvin Klein social media forums. He responded with no and she (quite emphatically and almost happily) gave up that they remove negative comments about designers posted on the Australian Vogue website.

News got to Cutblog who felt free to share. It was also reported in Melbourne's The Age newspaper when Vogue issued a defending statement.

The fashion industry isn't particularly known for being nice. Critics have been banned from studios and shows for harsh reviews and as with any creative field, it can be diva central. But, while understanding that in tough times its necessary to be nice to advertisers, I guess we can ask where it starts and where it stops. The internet is meant to be a democratic forum where we all can have a say and there have been plenty of stupid comments posted on many a blog and website. What can be so bad that it needs removal anyway?

so we can ask:

- does a publication have the right to monitor their comments to make everyone sound good? Should they? If bloggers have to state that they received complimentary goods, should editors have to do the same (and state that they have edited their forums)? After all, isn't this the same? all in the name of truth and full disclosure?

- how will knowing that Vogue censors change comments that are left on it? The teacup that is Australia isn't big- better believe this got round fast.

- how important is the truth in something like this? Is everyone doing it? Does anyone really care? Is anyone really paying attention to these comments? Or are they?

tell me what you think.