My Response To Vogue.com
Alright, so here’s what happened…http://www.vogue.com/13483417/milan-fashion-week-spring-2017-vogue-editors-chat/
Vogue.com released an article with an “Editor’s chat,” focused on their thoughts surrounding Milan Fashion Week, which turned into an article that criticized and insulted bloggers. Many fired back with “as a matter of facts” defending themselves and their business. Here’s what I had to say:
weworewhat: As I sat with friends watching the debate last night, I felt anxiety about the future of our country. Watching two presidential hopefuls argue over tax reform, immigration and racial profiling amongst petty insults and interruptions was discouraging to say the least. On a more personal level, I woke up this morning to the published commentary of Vogue and Vogue.com editors essentially bullying “bloggers” and I thought, if women can’t even support each other in a female-centric industry, then we really are screwed.
I’ve always felt the word “blogger” is reductive and non-descriptive of what I and many others like myself do. I am an entrepreneur, an influencer, a business woman…and yes, I have a blog too. It saddens me that a respected institution such as Vogue would insult bloggers and attempt to discourage young woman from forging their own career paths, by expressing themselves through what Vogue represents; personal style fashion.
I’ve always felt my “brand” to be slightly more commercial than high end, but that doesn’t mean I don’t aspire to work with Vogue one day. And on some level I get it; parading around for street style photographers outside a show may look silly to some, but this exchange between photographers, models, celebrities, editors and, yes, bloggers serves a necessary purpose in this industry. From a practical perspective, it provides content for websites like Vogue.com and from an artistic perspective provides a large platform for brands to display their most recent collections.
I’d like to give Vogue the benefit of the doubt here, and say that a few old-school editors representing an archaic mindset of the prestigious publication rattled off some thoughtless, bitter comments. Perhaps they’ll change their opinions after reading the responses of countless bloggers, followers, and readers alike who are firing back with their own opinions on who and what matters in our industry. I think it’s safe to say almost every designer, brand, and model in the fashion industry owes some of their success to the rise of social media and digital content. No one should be made to feel ashamed of that.
And yes, I am registered to vote.
I do love Vogue but this article was poorly written. Not only are fashion influencers a major part of the fashion world Vogue works with tons of models and actresses who are active bloggers too. Sometimes there will be editors who don’t understand where the world is going and that’s okay. People like us will be there to actively shut down their bias 🙂
alexamjohnson.com
**insert clapping hand emoji** Go Danielle!
http://www.letswearblack.com
Very well put, I like how you defend yourself and hold your ground without pulling anyone else through the dirt. I’ve read a few responses this morning, this is the most mature one so far. Good for you Danielle! Well said <3
http://www.kristenskouture.com | luxury. fashion. lifestyle.
Don’t let it get to you or even offend you. It’s obvious they’re miserable trolls who fear their job will soon be gone if they don’t get with the times. Their job is to focus on the clothing and designers not what’s going on outside. Vogue is all about change, is that not why Anna Wintour was the first to put a celebrity on the cover of Vogue? In today’s time influencers (whoever it may be, bloggers, celebrities, editors, models) are the ones who make the rules in fashion media. Bloggers are out wearing the clothes in the streets, at cafes, lounges, the clothing really comes to life when we see in action shots of the beautiful clothing and not just strutting down the runway and hanging on a hanger in an upscale boutique where if you can’t afford it get scolded by the SA’s.
You wore a Zimmerman playsuit a while back that I had seen previously in Saks but it didn’t truly convince me. The fabric was beyond beautiful but I wasn’t sure if it was for me. You posted a photo with it on Instagram and then a quick Snapchat with it and I was sold. I immediately went online to purchase it. That is the power bloggers/ influencers have. That is why fashion brands are obsessed with bloggers.
You’re good girl, you’ve built your brand beautifully and at such a young age. The bloggers attending fashion weeks didn’t start yesterday, they all have years of hard work. The article is irrelevant and Vogue should be ashamed of putting something so negative and petty on their site.
|| D I A N A ||
http://www.TheNeonFactor.com
Way to go Danielle. I 1000% agree with not calling bloggers “bloggers” anymore! The medium has evolved. We don’t call editors “reporters” do we? Also funny coming from a publication that uses blogger photos and heralds Instagram in their online content. Perhaps they should consider suspending that before taking a POV like this. Alternatively – the influencer world is a bit like high school. There are the few that do feed off the superficial fame and perhaps they are cheating the rest out of a respected reputation among titans in the online space. We can only be responsible for ourselves and hope that the way we individually act and protect our brand is what we’re judged on – not a stalking street style photo from Milan.
I couldn’t have said it better myself Danielle. It saddens me to see women bashing each other when we should be uplifting and supporting each other to succeed in, let’s face it, a patriarchal society. While I might not be a big blogger myself, I work tirelessly to create new and interesting content for self-expression and in order to be able to build a business for myself one day, which should be praised not belittled. Maybe, as you suggested, it’s the term “blogger” or perhaps it’s the fact that old school editors at publications such as Vogue are having issue keeping up with the digital age.
I’ve always believed fashion to be ever changing in relation to its evolving environment and the word vogue itself pertains to what is fashionable at the time. Well, Vogue welcome to the digital era where news travels fast and the average cyber consumer wants access to information regularly and consistently. Bloggers have now been able to provide consumers with that and so what’s the harm in a little friendly competition eh? There’s room for all surely.
Elvira
http://www.carelle-style.com
You said it Danielle! Their just trying to stay relevant… -Jade https://everydayrenee.com/
I totally agree with everything you said, and I’m so so so happy that you said it in such a smart, clear AND respectful way! That’s very inspiring, and you should be proud of what you do! You’re amazing!
Lucie, xx
http://thefrenchpier.blogspot.com/
Thank you for bringing this article to light. I just put my two-cents in. I can’t believe how unprofessional it is for Vogue to waste time bashing bloggers, when they could be talking about fashion week! Are they that hateful? Loved your response.
Viva la Bloggers!
xoxo
cathy
http://www.bayareafashionista.com
Well done for speaking out against such a petty vitriol of what is now a vital part of the industry. What really gets to me is the buzzfeed-ification of Vogue and other magazines. Articles (if they can be called that) are always ‘5 Reasons You Should Wear a Red Lip to the Beach this Summer’ (this was an actual title I remember being shocked at) – there seems to be very little actual content generation or professional criticism of fashion, other than reviews of runway shows at various fashion weeks. Bloggers/influencers are meanwhile creating insightful content, perhaps unhindered by the need to keep a print magazine in float.
xx
So sorry you had to see this darling. Your response and strength has been such an inspiration to me today, a fellow blogger babe working 24/7 to further my career. You’re a fashion icon to millions including myself, and we are all behind you with this.
xoxo
http://theindiegirl.com/indiegirlblog/fashion-month/style-we/fall-2016
You´re a great inspiring Woman and always doing a great job! <3
xx Sabrina
https://thetrendsailor.com/
WOw. I didn’t know they even said that. I used to love Vogue so much but have been shifting over to Porter magazine instead. Vogue was not a company I expected to bash bloggers considering you always see blogger style on their pages…
Loved your response! I think magazines and editors don’t know how to adapt to the changing world of fashion and see fashion bloggers as gaining more influence and power over them, and instead of figuring out how to use these successful business tactics, they’re scared of change and go off bashing bloggers for being vapid attention-seekers. The whole thing felt like when baby boomers complain about how social media obsessed millennials are, and it’s so tired.
You keep doing what you’re doing!
Lindsey
The Fashion Barbie
Well Said Danielle! I love how you stand up for yourself even if its Vogue. Its said how people misuse their title and think they can get away with anything under the name of a prestigious magazine. I’m a blogger too and I could not agree more!
XoXo
Dhwani
http://www.Quirksofme.com
Love your response. Thank you for sharing. It goes a lot deeper than ‘blogger’ with most.
xx Jenelle
http://www.inspiringwit.com/
Hi Danielle,
I’ve been a fan of yours for a while and appreciate the thought you put into for what you do. I honestly see blogging as something that is entrepreneurial as well. You are developing your own brand DNA of what makes your style so special which resonates with others to another degree by using existing designers out there. In conjunction to that, these designers are also relying on you to raise awareness to their customers and share different perspectives on how their collection can be styled (and in general, sharing the love). Honestly, Vogue has been around for decades and goes by a status quo of the way fashion and style is shared with its followers. The action and term “blogging” in fashion is somewhat recent and starting receiving popular interest in millennials. It’s only a matter of time until Vogue will have to adapt to the change. That’s how fashion works. Remember when Anna Wintour refused to place Kim on the cover of Vogue and then it happened because Vogue followers began to have an interest in them? Vogue is representing the values and beliefs of their followers and most of these followers, are now millennials who have respect and an understanding for bloggers out there. I so appreciate your voice in fashion and distinct sense of style that is worthy to many women out there!
I’m curious to what your advice is to women interested in to start fashion blogging. Myself and many friends out there have had this conversation and find it difficult on how to begin the process and make our voice and style heard, especially with the negative reaction Vogue has set forth.
You keep killin’ it!
Xx Jess
Well a well thought out response. It made me sad to read those quotes in the Vogue piece that characterizes bloggers as frivolous and clueless. To me those types of overly critical, petty, and condescending statements reek of insecurity. How sad to be an editor at Vogue and feel the need to snipe at people trying to carve their own path in the fashion industry. Everyone has to start somewhere.
http://www.sublimecravings.com
i agree with you, females need to support each other. We are already in a bad position in this society, we get less pay and so on. So when it is a big female based industry it is so important for us to empower each other to get stronger.
Hugs<3
http://camillaesi.se
I was pretty shocked when I read those quotes in Vogue! I think blogger are freaking amazing! They create their own business basically from nothing and are incredibly creative and resourceful doing it! they also turn fashion weeks into something wearable for everyone. Not to mention they transform fashion weeks from an exclusive, snobbish events to something everyone can see and follow on their blogs. Fashion is supposed to be for everyone and bloggers make it accessible!
Fash ‘n’ fudge
Fash ‘n’ fudge
I can see both sides. There is a lot of ridiculous posing (and yes I’ve been to LFW, so I have seen it), and I for one would much prefer to see a fashion blogger in an outfit at a show because it was what THEY chose to wear, not because the brand paid them to wear it. If bloggers are only wearing items because they were paid to, where is the creativity that made us want to follow bloggers in the first place?
I’d love to see a different term for those who ‘blog’ at a professional or paid level. I am a blogger – in the sense of the term that I keep an online journal full of random things; books, fashion, my family, travel, etc. I think it would help to make what the paid blogger does more ‘legitimate’ in the public’s eyes if the term was changed. To what, I have no idea!
That said, the Vogue piece was pretty harsh. Mentioning it once, okay, but the way they went on was pretty bad. Bloggers make up a good core of their readership. You don’t bite the hand that feeds you, you know?
I agree with you, I hope that Vogue rectifies the article.
http://elsecretodemistercloset.com
You are so right – Bloggers work as hard as anyone else. We have to photograph, edit, plan and churn out content all the time, by ourselves. If anything you would think that we would be living in a world today where women empower one another and that the ‘catty’ would be long gone by now. It’s really sad that it isn’t.
I also had some thoughts about it that I wrote here: http://www.thesilksneaker.com/on-a-personal-note-reflections/
x
Shloka
thesilksneaker.com
As I work on my “brand” and continuously strive to make it into the blogger industry (let alone the fashion industry) reading Vogue’s piece was discouraging. I am truly glad that we do have women like yourself to remind us exactly where this careless and senseless act came from – old school minds. Thank you for that! #girlpower
Xx Jaqlyn
https://overdressedandopinionated.com/
Fantastic commentary. Too much needless fighting in too many areas. The internet is reality and blogging is as much a valuable form of expression and information. Blogs can be of high or low quality, depending on the amount of work put in. Just as “real journalism”
I wouldn’t call this “bullying.” This argument seems silly to me. The Vogue editors expressed their opinions, you have yours. Move on. Enjoy being an influencer. Thicken your skin.
I honestly think its disgusting Vogue would publish something like that. Think whatever they want – certainly do not POST it for millions of people to see it around the world. Vogue should be encouraging women and men of all ages to put themselves out into the world, with confidence, and never let anything hold them back. It baffles me that the article even made it past a draft…
Emma | Fashion Photographer and Model | emmanmh.com
I respect you so much for standing up for this matter. You handled the situation with such grace and really proved a point. Thank you for doing that. xx, Erin – http://www.stylebythepeople.com
Great response! Totally agree with you on this, Vogue should not be discouraging other women and bloggers.
http://thegirlswhobrunch.com
High five girl – I think Vogue got a case of “Millennials ruined…” yet another thing they can’t let go of. It’s so unfortunate that such an established publication would criticize the changing face of the fashion industry. What has worked in the past may not work tomorrow. As a new entrant, I find “blogging” to be an incredible opportunity to express myself and hopefully, one day, supplement my income.
Oh yea, I’m also registered to vote and intend to do so this November.
Gisel // mintandthrift.com
maybe look at it from the perspective that they are generalizing with their comments and if you don’t fit this generalization, you need not be offended. i think what concerns me these days is how people are always grouped as many when really it’s just some that are problematic! peace!
Honestly, I think the term “blogger”, at least for people truly into fashion, really only applies to those who only document their outfits on their blogs and have not successfully branded themselves the way you and a select few people have been able to; and maybe those Vogue writers were simply talking about those people without realizing that “blogger” is technically one of your type’s many identities as well? Just a thought. Because honestly, not everyone who is into fashion and *thinks* they have taste need to be blogging/taking photos everywhere. Nature is fair, not everyone is born tasteful, and very people can constantly exude amazing sense whenever they pick out an outfit. You’re clearly not in that generic “blogger” category, and while it is truly discouraging for up-and-coming bloggers who can actually go beyond the blogging realm and become an icon the way you had done, perhaps you shouldn’t be so upset. After all, you’re much more beyond the “blogger” term; you’re much greater than that, and those Vogue writers may simply be using that term in a very specific, non-inclusive way.
These ladies come off as arrogant elitists, and you are so right
to be disappointed by women tearing other women down in the industry instead of
being supportive. Their comments seem especially hypocritical considering the fact that Vogue often writes about and uses photos of bloggers during fashion week. So…they want to make money off of them…and then they want to trash them on an editor’s chat. Keep it classy, Vogue!
Your response is 100% spot on Danielle.
Amy
http://www.luxelookbook.me
I agree with you 100% the anxiety is real, thanks for taking the time to speak up and give our community a voice! Inspirational!
http://www.berkleysboutique.com
Very tasteful reply to a truly disgusting article. Keep doing your thing Danielle, you inspire so many people especially me! xx