Hello nervousness! Nice to see you again! So tomorrow I leave for Milan for the week as an official member of the press and I am NERVOUS. As in, I started thinking about what to wear, I don't know like a month ago.
Not that it matters because I'm sure today when I pack I will change my mind and go with completely different clothes. If you don't mind I feel like talking about a few different things today, namely:
A) I'M GOING TO BE A "NO ONE" IN A SEA OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY ARE SOMEONE!
B) I HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE
C) EVERYONE STARTS SOMEWHERE
A) I'M GOING TO BE A "NO ONE" IN A SEA OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY ARE SOMEONE!
I've written before here and here about what it's like to actually work in fashion. And by work I don't mean blogging, I mean dealing with designers, showrooms, clients, stores that don't pay, stores that do pay and expect your first born child, brands who treat you like garbage and then rarely people who understand you and your products and actually pay (on time) and do business in a normal manner!
One of the things I love about working in fashion is that it is a much more dynamic and creative environment, the only thing are the egos! OH THE EGOS! I get it though, there is a system to uphold of order and superiority that is real to an extent. I mean, hierarchy is nothing more than the prioritizing of people according to what they can do for you. And let's be honest, the Editor of a major fashion magazine, a blogger with 3 million followers or a luxury department store owner with 60 stores internationally can probably do more to promote a brand than a small-time freelance fashion and travel writer can.
All of this to say that I head into fashion week whole heartily accepting the fact that I'm not important and will not get into the biggest shows or parties, that being said I'm really looking forward to this as a learning experience because up until now I've only done the fashion week in Paris for women's wear plus a few smaller events in Milan, but never as an official anything!
If you'd love to read about how to navigate fashion week when you are a "no one", check out my article next week on the website Independent Fashion Bloggers, THE international fashion blogger community with over 60,000 members. I'll share everything in as honest a way as I can and I'll be sure to share the post on my facebook page!
B) I HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE
I've learned that humility in fashion will get you nowhere! This all goes back to hierarchy! People can't use their time on someone that won't advance their career or brand, and so you get an inevitable inflating of egos to make sure people give you the time of day!
When there is so much competition for invites, brand sponsorships and opportunities I understand why the natural response is to "fake it before you make it", but from a BRAND perspective (I've technically been on both ends), I think there's something to be said for effectively using your resources and presenting yourself for exactly what you are.
I think we all remember when those fashion bloggers a few years ago were approached by a camera team who asked them what they thought of "such and such" a designer, all INVENTED NAMES! And the fashion bloggers, instead of admitting they had never heard of these designers, invented some strange reviews about the collections. Ugh, I cringe!
And I will think about that video (which I've linked to in this post - How Important Are Bloggers At Fashion Week) throughout this week, to keep my ego in check and make sure I don't get caught up in the razzle dazzle!
That being said this week I didn't get much sleep and instead I created a database of the over 270 press contacts for every single brand (big, small and smallest!) that will be doing any type of event from fashion shows to media days during the Fashion Week.
I sent them an e-mail that was very honest explaining who I am, who I write for and that I'm a new member of the press. For the first few days afterwards I didn't hear much and I figured I hadn't done a flashy enough of a job in presenting myself and building myself up to be some kind of media guru.
And then....
And then the e-mails started!
I've been invited to too many media presentations and a few real fashion shows, which is actually a HUGE deal in Milan since most venues are small and there is limited space for non-buyers in the first place. I suppose this is proof that I'm good enough for some brands as I am, and it gave me the confidence to realize I don't need to prove myself to anyone. I'm not going to the Fashion Week to be "discovered", I just want to work! So prepare for some great street style posts, brand reviews and of course some "Milan Fashion Week for Fashion Bloggers" Manuals!
C) EVERYONE STARTS SOMEWHERE
Authenticity is not something that our current world encourages. Authenticity is a little *too real* often and doesn't entice the hope that we need as a millennial generation. Put a filter on it, crop it just so, brighten, lighten and up the contrast. But lately I've had the story of the rabbit and the hare on my mind with the motto "slow and steady wins the race", so I'm going to approach everything with the aim of keeping it real.
I remember when I FIRST started the blog and I reached out to a big brand for an affiliate relationship. I explained to the brand manager that my blog was small but I really believed in their products and his response was "everybody starts somewhere, welcome aboard".
What I'm Wearing
I took these photos last Friday. I headed into the office to discuss the bag I'm wearing which I call "La Borsa Brera" - "The Brera Bag", referring to one of the chichest areas of Milan and where I worked when I lived there.
My father-in-law, husband and I are finishing up the last details for this beautiful bag which has been created with one of the most rare and luxurious leathers available (or actually...unavailable, since it takes between a year and a half to two and a half years for the tannery to fulfill orders since they wait for the most perfect leathers).
This bag is one of three similar designs that will be in the new women's collection I'm creating with my man and his leather accessories bottega. I was so worried that none of the bags would be ready in time for fashion week, but low an behold this one is *almost* finished! My father in law is creating the hanging coin purse pendant that I designed last week today, so that by tomorrow this lady will be 100% complete!
These photos were taken after work in the beautiful parks around Modena while I walked home. I took the bag home because I'm planning many of my outfits around this bag (obviously!). In this post I'm wearing Gianni Marra leather boots, Zara orange, pleather cropped palazzo pants, a Zara thin dark floral print scarf and a vintage cropped, hand knit sweater.
The #REASONSTODRESS DRESS TO IMPRESS LINKUP is officially launched!! Part of this new linkup is sharing with my readers fabulous style bloggers that I have found over my years on the web. This week I am so proud to share:
A 40+ style blogger (I *know* she doesn't look a day over 32!) I find her to be a HUGE inspiration for me because she is living proof that style post-40 can still be SEXY, fun and on trend while being a lady!
Keep your eyes open for the INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE and a full feature in the next edition of the RTD MAGAZINE for March. In the meantime check out her favorite post here, and an easy day to night outfit here! Visit her blog this week and let her know what you think and please remember that if you linkup it would be great if you could follow her on at least one social media channel....she is friendly!
& now....onto your style!
Welcome to the #REASONSTODRESS DRESS TO IMPRESS LINKUP for fashion and style bloggers!
This linkup is hosted by REASONS TO DRESS - An Italian lifestyle blog about an expat-Canadian married to an Italian leather artisan. Part of this new linkup is sharing up and coming style bloggers and we're always looking for fabulous co-hosts who will be interviewed and featured - email [email protected] for info!
REASONS TO DRESS - An Italian Lifestyle Blog About Fashion, Travel & Life in Italy
RETROCHICMAMA - Retro Design Chic Style Always Mama
THIS WEEK'S BANNER / INSTAGRAM IMAGE :
- PLEASE : Linkup your STYLE related posts, new and old! Or Linkup a FASHION related picture from Instagram with the hashtag #REASONSTODRESS
- PLEASE: Add the badge or a link back to EITHER of the weekly hosts
- PLEASE: Follow each host on at least 1 social network , we're friendly, social and generally over-sharers! Let us know that you've followed so that we can share the love!
- PLEASE: Please be social and visit a post that interests you. Don't forget to use the #REASONSTODRESS hashtag to let people know how you found them!
