The Talk at Teen Vogue….

While perusing one of my all time favorite blogs on TeenVogue.com, I came across some more talk about teen bloggers and their access to the fashion industry. “Key Players: They’re not designers, stylists, or magazine editors–yet. The next generation of influential fashion forces is making its mark online with buzzed-about style blogs,” introduces us to more members of Gen Y who are making their presence known in among the big leaguers. (Yes, I know it is awesome!)

The Awesome BryanBoy Himself!

Photo Courtesy of BryanBoy.com

I was really struck by one newcomer, BryanBoy‘s story…

“Style blogs have grown into such an important force that even major names are logging on. When Phillipines-based BryanBoy aired a homemade video tribute to Marc Jacobs on his cheeky self-titled blog, the designer himself reached out to let Bryan know that he was an avid reader. A few days after the Marc Jacobs Fall 2008 show, Jacobs e-mailed Bryan again, to tell him he was naming one of the bags from the collection–an ostrich satchel–the “BB” in his honor.”

Talk about inspiration! Teens all over the country are really putting themselves out there. Style blogs have become an extraordinary way to express creativity and the added perk is that these teens are really getting noticed. Kudos to all!

Read the rest of the TeenVogue piece here Teen Fashion Bloggers: Industry Insider: teenvogue.com

And don’t forget to visit BryanBoy by following the link on my blogroll…

Think about this….

Rodarte's Collection at New York Fashion Week

Photo: Courtesy of the New York Times

In the style section of today’s New York Times, Rodarte’s designing duo, sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, received praise and recognition. With today’s ailing economy, it is important for designers to bring something new and exciting to the table. When times are good and the fashion industry is booming, designers tend to get lazy, and are less likely to focus on fueling their creative thinking. Essentially, they are more likely to “play it safe”. However, today’s article, “All Eyes Shift to Creativity” states,

“The Rodarte show was one of the many hopeful auguries this week, signs that New York fashion has already started to regenerate itself through improvisation, experiment collaboration and the locally prized habit of taking risks.”

As I am sure you all remember, it was also Rodarte‘s designers that recently incorporated the inspiration they found on eighth grader Tavi Gevinson’s blog into their fashion design…. now that is something to think about!

Read the rest of the NY Times article here Fashion Diary – Fashion Week – All Eyes Shift to Creativity – NYTimes.com

Blogging: The Key To The Fashion World

ATTENTION GEN Y BLOGGERS!!!!!

I hope you were all inspired by the link I posted to Katherine Rosman’s article in the Wall Street Journal “Fashion’s Secret Helpers.” However, Rosman is not alone in picking up on this up and coming Gen Y trend.

It is extremely exciting that teens as young as 13-years old are breaking into the fashion industry by simply pouring their creative juices into blogs and websites for the world to see. Not only are big names in the fashion world noticing, but they are also reaching out and responding to the enormous talent and potential displayed by these teeny members of Generation Y.

In a recent article published in the New York Times, entitled “Young Bloggers Have Ear of Fashion Heavyweights,” author Alice Pfeiffer introduces us to a slew of other teen bloggers that have been catching the attention of fashion’s major players.

“The magazine and other fashion blogs and blog networks are helping to give young entrepreneurs an early entry into journalism and winning some of them a place in the notoriously competitive fashion industry. Other sites include TeenUgly, an American-based blog network; the blogs Style Bubble, based in London, and Childhood Flames, from the United States; and Cherry Blossom Girl, a blogger and designer from Paris.”

The article explains that this facet should come as no surprise, seeing how technology has played an enormous role in the lives of Generation Y members since they were born. Thomas Gonsorcik, the head of intelligence at the social media consultancy, Interaction London, is quoted in the article,

“Today’s teenagers never had to discover the Internet. They were almost predetermined to master the new means of media and communication in a way that is qualitatively much richer than the older generation.”

Blogging has certainly provided these youngsters with a key to the fashion industry, as some have landed spots assisting fashion designers, creating their own accessories lines for major stores, and even lending a hand with fashion magazine production. How exciting is that? I know I wouldn’t mind being in their shoes….

Read the NY Times Article Here Young, Online, and Fashion Forward – NYTimes.com

And don’t forget to visit my Blogroll for links to these awesome fashion blogs!!!

GenY or GenBUY?

So, it seems that I am not the only one who is talking about my generation…Kit Yarrow, a professor of marketing and psychology at Golden Gate University and Jayne O’Donnell, a retail and automative reporter for USA Today, have recently published their book entitled Gen Buy: How Tweens, Teens, and Twenty-Somethings are Revolutionizing Retail.

Basically, the book talks about those born between 1978 and 2000, Generation Y, and their spending power in today’s retail market. Not only is Generation Y a powerful generation in terms of its ability to impact the future of the economy, but also, “Gen Yers” have reduced their spending the least during the current economic recession.

Generation Y not only has a huge influence upon the economy, but they also impact the decisions of their friends and family. As the first generation to grow up using advanced technology and social networking tools, Gen Y is equipped with knowledge and confidence.

Since I have been concentrating on the impact that Gen Y has on the FASHION industry, I thought it would be cool to share some of the statistics that Yarrow and O’Donnell included  in the book…

• “According to Digital Marketing Agency’s Resource Interactive for Fall 2007, when it comes to household purchases, Gen Y influences 90 % of all clothing/apparel bought”
• “65% of all Gen Y say they “love to shop” in comparison to only 43% of those over 30 years old”
• “U.S. households with at least one member of Gen Y represent the third largest buying group in this country”
• “At nearly eighty-four million, they [Gen Y] are the largest segment of the U.S. population”
• “The most conservative estimates of Gen Y spending exceed $200 billion a year, and this generation’s spending will top $10 trillion in its lifetime”
• “Stores that cater to Gen Y were about the only nondiscounters doing well in the spring of 2009″
• “The Harrison Group’s Taylor, coauthor of the book The New Elite: Inside the Minds of the Truly Wealthy, says one need only look at Ralph Lauren and Tiffany to see Gen Y’s influence. He says young people—especially, but not only, those from affluent households—have been big drivers of the upscale accessories business.”

Talk about young people making a difference….

To learn more about this intriguing book click here Gen Buy – How Tweens, Teens and Twenty-Somethings Are Revolutionizing Retail – Yarrow & O’Donnell

Fall Into Spring/Summer 2010 With Rodarte….and Tavi Gevinson :)

Here is a video from Rodarte’s most recent collection that was just shown in New York Fashion Week….Rodarte’s designers, Kate and Laura Mulleavy explained in Rosman’s piece that Tavi Gevinson provided some of the inspiration behind their work…CHECK IT OUT!

Meet one of “Fashion’s Secret Helpers”….

Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) recently published a short profile on Tavi Gevinson, one of the teens featured in Katherine Rosman’s article for The Wall Street Journal posted above…

Check her out as she reveals her experience at New York Fashion Week….

T Is for Tavi – Fashion Scoops – Fashion News – WWD.com

and don’t forget to visit Gevinson’s blog!!!! style rookie

Gen Y: Inspiring Design

Fashion Week Tents!

As Mercedes Benz Fashion Week kicks into full gear, new trends for Spring 2010 are emerging. The runways have been exploding with mini dresses, skin-hugging skirts, and rainbows of color. Also popular for next season are patch-worked fabrics, pleats, and slinky sheaths.

As each day this week is packed with show after show, the fashion savvy have their hands full and their heels on. While new designers are bursting onto the scene, old favorites are still holding their own.

They've Got Their Heels On

But one question we have to consider is, where does the inspiration for new fashion lines come from?

Well, for one thing, we cannot forget to mention GEN Y!

Gen Y is in the know. Advances in technology and increasingly open access to media have enabled this generation to experience a constant stream of information. It pumps into their veins like an IV, providing a sense of livelihood, which than casts a serious influence on those around them!

In a September 11th article featured in the Wall Street Journal entitled, “Fashion’s Secret Helpers,” we can see first hand that Gen Y is playing a large role in the realm of fashion design…

“Fashion houses stretch their search for inspiration from a teen in Texas to a blogger in the Phillippines. Rodarte finds a muse in a Chicago suburb.”

Now more than ever, fashion designers are looking outside of the box in order to generate new trends and unique creations.

“Some designers say they like having sources of inspiration who are outside the group mentality that can emerge from New York or Hollywood where editors, stylists, and retailers co-mingle.”

How awesome is that?!?!

So, the next time you are looking at pictures from a recent runway show, or maybe even sitting front row (if you are lucky), if you find yourself thinking, “wow thats really cool,” don’t forget to acknowledge the fact that a 20something-year old next to you may have been the guiding light, fueling that design’s creativity!

Check out the WSJ article here New York Fashion Week: Fashion’s Secret Helpers – WSJ.com