IQONS & Stylehive

I’ve managed to stumble across two new fashion social networking sites. The first one is IQONS. In comparison to the others, I found this one to be very sophisticated and well put together. The reason I think it was so different from the rest I have written about in the past is because the audience which it is targeting. According to an article about the site titled, IQONS fashion social network to launch next week, on downloadsquad.com, it said that “The site is aimed at everyone in the fashion industry, models, designers, photographers, makeup artists, photographers, retailers, stylists, head hunters, PR people, and journalists. It will be a place where they can show off their work and start up networks across the world to spur creativity. Iqons has the ability to embed Photobucket slideshows, Brightcove videos and YouTube players.”(http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/02/09/iqons-fashion-social-network-to-launch-next-week/). All these people are professionals. They are trying to build their careers, and I think a site such as this one is going to become essential for them. It allows them to market themselves on a whole new level. They can easily communicate and share information with one another. Without joining you can browse the site a little and see what they have to offer but I think all the benefits come when you actually become a member.
The other site I came across was Stylehive. I found some information on it in an article on crunchbase.com. The article said that “Stylehive is a social bookmarking site that is focused on shopping. Stylehive helps its users to follow and share styles they like by creating tagged collections. Stylehive’s members can comment and speak with other members and professionals can promote themselves and get noticed by the world for their style. Stylehive lets its members build and share their own shopping wishlists for the holidays, weddings and parties.” (http://www.crunchbase.com/company/stylehive). I thought this site was pretty cool. It was also different from the other ones I have found over the past few weeks. I think that the tagging idea is a really interesting one. It helps users build a collection of what they want. Allowing professionals to use the network is huge for them because they are now able to share their work with a new audience of people.
I think that both of these fashion social networking sites have great potential. They both have creatively designed sites that are specific yet general in that anyone can join however each offers something unique to its users. I don’t think this is the last time we will see these types of sites. The more you search, the more you will find them. They are popping up all over the place and I think that it’s really great that people who have similar interests now have a place to go to communicate it.
If you’re interested in joining either site or just want to vquzeshuf, visit their sites at:
http://www.iqons.com/iqons.php?fct=page&i=43 and http://stylehive.com/.

Couples That Communicate - Max Kalehoff

The other post from Max Kalehoff’s blog that I decided to comment on was the one titled Couples That Communicate. I honestly laughed after reading it. I think it’s quite funny how we have begun to talk advantage of communicating through the internet. We don’t even have to be face to face with one another in the same house. The sad part is I communicate with people in the other room using the internet myself. My sister will be on her laptop in her bedroom and I will get an IM from her asking if I’m still in the house, meanwhile I’m sitting in the living room! Another thing this reminded me of is my best friend and her family. She will be upstairs and instead of yelling to her, her mother will call her cell phone while downstairs to let her know that dinner is ready. I truly don’t know what to make of all this. Is this a good thing? We can just quickly send an email to a family member in the other room without having to actually move ourselves all over the place. Or are we becoming lazy? I think it’s a little bit of both. I mean if you are in Max’s situation using separate computers to do some planning for a trip or whatever then I think its fine. But I don’t know how necessary it is to call your daughter’s cell phone to let her know dinner is ready. I can’t be a hypocrite though because there are countless times when I have had conversations with my friends over the internet while they are sitting across the room from me. It saves time and that way we don’t interrupt others around us with our talking. I think everyone’s opinion on the matter is going to be different and there are always going to be positives and negatives of this technology. Whether we like it or not I think it’s just becoming something that is now accepted. I know I’m probably going to continue doing it, even if it may seem a little ridiculous.

Max Kalehoff's Blog

The post, You’re Nothing Without A Link, on Max Kalehoff’s blog is a very interesting one. He starts off saying that his company appeared in news stories however there were no links bringing people back to their web page. At first, you would think this really isn’t that big of a deal. The company is still getting press whether there is a link or not, however these days, it’s all about the link. Max says “If they use information from a company journalists should not only source the company by name, but also link to it.” I have to say I agree because of all the benefits this has for the company. Max goes on further to include three very important reasons why a hyperlink should be included when a journalist is writing about a company, such as his. I liked the reasons he gave because they were not ones that I thought of offhand. Page rank helps “boost that company’s search page rank” says Max and he describes having the link as “the new currency of information gathering, reporting and sharing.” A little link can make a huge difference for a company. People are more likely to visit the site when the link is right there rather than going and trying to search for the site themselves. This then brings me to the next benefit Max talks about, user experience. The user experience gives readers the opportunity to go ahead and learn more about the company by just using the link. It’s very quick and easy. Lastly, analytics is discussed. After having used Google Analytics for our own blogs, I can see why it would be important to know where your viewers are coming from. If people have to do a search after reading a journalists article to find your site, then you have no way of knowing that they actually came because they had read the article first. If there is a link, you now have a better understanding of how viewers entered your site. Clearly the link is a very beneficial piece to any company. Max’s post really helped me fully understand this.

To read more about visit his site at: http://www.attentionmax.com/

Social Networking Site- My Kids Fashion

While searching through the internet, I was able to come across yet another fashion based social networking site. This one, however, was very different from the one I had previously talked about, Share Your Look. My Kids Fashion, as started on the sites main page, “is the industry's first social network connecting designers, retailers, manufacturers and consumers from around the world.” This alone tells you how much of an asset it can be to you if you join. The connections you can make, as a business owner, could really help you launch yourself in a new way.
On the main page there are tabs, each of which guides you through the site. At first I found it to be a little overwhelming and confusing, but once you start to go through the tabs you get a feel for the site. There is the main page tab, where you start off. Here there’s a little glimpse of each section as you scroll down. Those who are members can sign in, and if you’re not you can still take a look at those who are. After going through a couple pages on the members tab, I found that a lot of the people who joined the network are actually children’s boutiques. I didn’t quite understand how such a site could be useful to them till I continued on further to the forum tab.
Here I found posts from people and companies. Some described their business, others talked about new projects they are working on, and I found one that had even created an add saying that the store was in need of a new designer to come work with them. This is when I realized how a social network such as this one could help small business owners. They are able to grow and expand business ties, speak to others who have new ideas or help one another by trying to solve issues they are facing in their industry. The possibilities are endless if you really think about it.
This particular social network could really help a business out. The other things I found on the site were the photo and video applications. Here you see pictures and video from people’s shops and get to view what they make and sell. To learn more about the site you can go to their website, http://www.mykidsfashion.com/. It’s great for anyone who is thinking about opening their own business in the kids fashion industry.

Bargain Shopping

One of the best things about fashion is that you don’t always have to pay a high price for things that you want. Of course you can spend a couple hundred on a pair of shoes, but why would you do that when you could get the same thing for so much less. Bargain shopping is one thing I love doing. Prices these days can be pretty outrageous however if you know where to look, you can always find a deal. A couple of my favorite places to do this at are T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. They have all sorts of brand names for up to half the price you would pay if you were to go into a department store. On the Marshalls website, http://www.marshallsonline.com/, you can look around and find deals, or go into the store. They are located all around. At both of these locations you can go in and find items like clothing, perfume, shoes, bags, as well as stuff for the house. Its one stop shopping, this is always a plus too. The clothing and accessories at these two stores are already reasonably priced but at times you can get great deal on the sales rake too. I personally can’t ever walk in and not at least take a peek at when they have to offer in that section.
Another great thing to do when your bargain shopping is try to figure out what it is you need. That’s important otherwise you’ll end up spending much more then you want. If you find something in a magazine for example, take note and try to look at places like H&M as well as Forever 21. Both of these clothing stores are great because they fit in with the college budget, yet they always have the latest trends and fairly inexpensive prices. They have accessories too, and there is no way you can go in there and leave without making a purchase. There are actually some magazines out there that show you the designer products and then give you an example of a product that looks exactly the same but is much more affordable. They even go as far as giving you information on where you can purchase it.
EBay is another place I know many people go to find a deal. This site can also be use to make purchases that will help build your wardrobe. EBay has just about every item you can imagine. If people have it and want to sell it, then it’s there. You can easily find bargains on this website, if you take the time to look and are able to find what you need.
If you really think about it, there is no real need to go out and spend huge amounts of money on clothing. There is always a way around it. If it is something you plan on using for long periods of time, then in that case you might want to make a good investment. But knowing the fashion industry, I can confidently say that most of what you buy now is not going to be appealing to you in the following years. Styles change and it is unpredictable. Spending money on fashion should be fun, not expensive.

Summer's Around the Corner!

Summer is just around the corner and there isn’t one store you can walk into today that doesn’t have shorts, tank tops, and swim wear on display. Its starting to get warm out again finally and this means it’s time to update your wardrobe with the latest summer trends. According to Suite 101’s article, Summer Fashion Trends, the big thing this summer is going to be bright colors. “Bright colors are making a comeback this year with red-orange and fuchsia taking center stage. Cool, neutral colors may make a splash this summer in lavender and aqua shades. For women who prefer darker tones, brown is predicted to be the new black with trendy colors ranging from rich chocolate to light khaki.” If this is true, I hope all of you are ready to make a change. The site also provides a short list of must-haves for the season, and if you want to check it out you can go to their website, http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/summerfashiontrends. Another site that I looked at said that floral is going to be a big hit this summer to. From blouses, to shoes, purses, to jewelry, you can’t go wrong. Vquzeshuf also had some interesting new trends. Overall I think that’s its time we updated our closets and got ready for the warm weather and got those essential new items for this season.

Fashion in the Office

It’s that time of year again. Most of us are now on the hunt for internships and jobs for the summer, I know I am. However when you go into that interview, you want to make a good first impression and your attire is definitely a part of that. You want to look presentable as well as professional, and not to mention vquzeshuf. Through the years what you wear has changed and of course designers are always coming up with new ways to update your wardrobe. Business attire is obviously part of this. As a business major I know that whatever job I look into, I’m going to have to look put together not just for the interview but when I start working in the office as well. This calls for a closet full of new stuff cause most of what the working world sees as appropriate is not what you can currently find in my closet. Jeans, sweatshirts, and tank tops probably aren’t going to cut it. A lot of the things that are now coming into style can not only be good for the office, but can double as something you wear out on a Friday night. The pencil skirt is a necessity in every girl’s closet. It’s one of those things that you can pair with a nice blouse and black heals to keep it more businessey or add some crazy jewelry and a colorful top to make it ready for the weekend. Another trend that is coming back is actually the high-wasted pants. Not everyone is a fan or can pull it off but I think that if you find the right pair to fit your body, they you are good to go. The suite is a classic look though and you can’t really go wrong with that one. As we saw this past winter skinny jeans were in style but now the wide pant leg is making its way back into our closets. Pants such as these can nicely be paired with a sweater or jacket and be ready for the office. Everyone’s style is a little different but there is something out there for us all.

Share Your Look: A Fashion Social Network

Who would have thought that there would be a social networking site for fashion? I know I didn’t but then again I can’t say I’m all that surprised. All I did was search and of course I came across one that existed. “Share Your Look” is the title of one such site. According to an article I found about it (that you guys can read if your interested in it by going to: http://mashable.com/2006/11/10/shareyourlook-social-network-for-fashion/), its for people who love fashion, are or want to become designers, or are just interested in sharing what it is they are into or wearing at the moment. A fashion journalist is actually one of the co-founders.

People that use the site arefrom all around the world and this lets styles and trends be shared across borders. Because this is a social network, each user has info about themselves in their profiles, they can add friends, put up picture, and do a lot of the same things we do on the social networks we frequently use. I think a site like this is great for people who love fashion. You have the opportunity to meet people, see what they are wearing, comment on their pictures and style, as well as pick up some tips from others. The actual website for the social network is http://shareyourlook.com/, so if you want to join, I say go for it.

Miami Fashion Week

Miami Fashion Week is the largest Hispanic and International fashion event in the U.S. This year it is being held between April 9th and the 13th. It is the 10th Annual one and for this reason it is going to quite the show. Like most fashion weeks, the event gathers international media together in one place, along with celebrities, editors of fashion magazines, and buyers for major stores. All year long people wait for this time to come around. All the designers have worked for this day too and to make it a special event, over 60 of the world’s best established and immerging designers have come together to participate in the show. The event will take place in Miami's SOHO Studios. Here, the venue has been turned into a magnificent place for entertainment. In the building there will be cocktail bars, a high speed internet lounge, shopping, the runway, and so much more. During the event the Designer of the Year Award is presented to one designer for their accomplishments and amazing work. Past winners include Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta. The night ends with a music awards show with performances by famous recording artists. Shakira, as well as many others have had the honor of performing at this event in past years. As a corporation, sponsoring an event such as Miami Fashion Week will bring huge buzz to your name. Some partners that have participated include: Cosmopolitan in Espanol, Cadillac, Audi, Mercury, E! Entertainment Latin America, Citibank and many more.


Fashion week is a time for designers to showcase their latest collection. The runway show is the highlight of the event. The more well known fashion weeks are held in the fashion capitals of the world, such as Milan, London, New York, and Paris. The very first fashion week was held back in 1943 in New York. Miami has only recently begun holding a week of their own, however, they have been able to attract many people to the event. Some designers that have participated in the previous years include: Algirmiro Palencia, Monika Burszty, Tereza Santos, and Lola. One of Tereza Santos's pieces can be seen above on the right and one by Algirmiro Palencia on the left. Fashion week is a huge part of the fashion industry, it's essential for allowing designers to showcase their brilliant ideas for the upcoming season. Miami Fashion Week has a sight of their own, http://www.miamifashionweek.com/index.asp, and to find out more about their event you should definitley check it out!

Fashion @ The Oscars

As many of you probably know the 80th Annual Academy Awards were held last night. I am personally I big fan of the show and not only do you get to see who the big winners of the night are, but you also get to see what they were wearing! The entire pre-show done out on the red carpet is focused on interviews with the celebrity presenters and of course nominees. One of the most important questions asked out there is "Who are you wearing?" When a celebrity gets out on that red carpet and revels who the designer of that dress or stunning suite is, millions of views are now familiarized with that name. Having your dress appear on television, the web, and magazines is going to bring you new customers as a designer. People will hear your names and directly associate you with "that dress" so and so wore to the Oscars. There is no such thing as bad publicity, so even if critics think the outfit itself is hideous; there is a good chance you will still get talked about. Some of the big names that made it out on the red carpet last night include Jennifer Garner, Heidi Klum, and the winner for Best Actress, Marion Cotillard. In my opinion, these women were probably the best dressed. Marion Cotillard's gown, as seen below, was by Jean Paul Gaultier and Heidi Klum's was one of many red dresses at the awards, hers by, John Galliano. All the dresses seen on the red carpet where beautiful and unique. Every year the women seem to have something original.

Cameron Diaz as well as some others including Ellen Page and Tilda Swinton (below) did not make my top favorites and some critics agreed with that, putting them on the worst dressed list. Unfortunately sometimes that will happen, but the one good thing about fashion is that there will always be a chance to redeem yourself. Those who did not do a good job finding a gown for this particular event can always make a comeback at the next one.

Social Networking

Social Networking was the topic which my group and I presented about in class. Social networking has to do with communicating with others using the internet. You make connections through similar interests. People can find romance, jobs, and old friends, all through social networking. One of the sites that we actually talked about during our presentation was the following one: http://social-networking-websites-review.toptenreviews.com/
It compared the top ten social networking sites of 2008. Most of us are familiar with myspace.com and facebook.com. They both made the list. The site shows all the different features all ten sites offer to users and evaluates which ones people liked and used the most.
Another great site that we came across was about a new social networking site called Yuwie. The different between this site and others is that you get paid you using it. To learn more here is a video explaining how Yuwie works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmNMkvwmO_c

Fashion Against Aids

I’m not sure how many of you have noticed, but lately there has been a new trend going on in fashion. Gap recently began a campaign, (PRODUCT) RED. The profits sold from that clothing line go towards women and children in Africa who are affected by AIDS. Some of the products are even made in Africa which is helping the country out in other ways too. I think what they have done is great. I am personally not a big shopper at the Gap, however, my favorite store, H&M, just started their own campaign similar to this one. It’s called Fashion Against AIDS. The clothing company teamed up with DAA (Designers Against Aids) and YouthAIDS. They picked out a special group of artists and designers to design artwork for t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, and other garments of clothing. 25% of profits will go towards raising awareness and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS all around the world. Here is a link to the main page: http://www.hm.com/us/#faa

From this site there are several places you can go to learn more about the project. There is a link to meet the artist. Each group or individual involved did a little video clip. They talk about why they decided to join in with this project and what inspired them to create the artwork they used on their clothing. The artists and designers include people from Rihanna, Timbaland, and Good Charlotte to Katharine Hamnet and Ziggy Marley. There is another link which allows you to see the entire clothing collection. When you click on “get the facts”, it will give you more options. You’ll be able to find out where H&M is getting support from, how fashion against aids works, and where the money goes. You can spread the word to friends and family right from the site as well as create a video with the Fashion Against AIDS – message, which can then be seen by anyone when they click on your video on the main page. The site is filled with facts and it’s really a great opportunity to do something for others by just purchasing a piece of clothing. I know there were a couple items that I thought were really cool and I will definitely be making my way over to one of the stores to buy something. It’s a truly a great cause and you should all take a look at the site for more details.

A famous designer once said "In order to irreplaceable one must always be different." In my opinion, Coco Chanel was right. And, in today's world, the opportunities to be different are endless. Fashion is there to help us showcase our individuality. It changes on a daily basis and with the help of the internet we now have the ability to learn about these changes with just the click of a mouse.