Showing posts with label bloggers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bloggers. Show all posts

October 23, 2014

The Very Best of Instagram

Whether you're an avid fashion follower, looking for some inspiration, or just appreciate a nice use of filters, here are our top picks for the coolest Instagrams you need to be following right now!

photo via Cara Delevingne

October 9, 2014

Menswear is Conquering the Fashion Industry

In the past, menswear has been known for playing it safe in terms of fashion, keeping to the same basic trends as it has been showing for years and years. The best runway shows were saved for womenswear while menswear shows displayed little change from season to season – but this has all changed for the better, in our opinion. Here’s an update about what’s happening in the menswear market, and we love it!

Men’s clothing is now way more creative with more design. Nowadays, men are much more willing to experiment with fashion and try new things. Men love it, and it is reflecting in sales.  Total sales in menswear grew by 5% while womenswear only grew 4% this past year, according to NDP Group. Dolce and Gabanna, Jimmy Choo, and Holt Renfrew Co. Ltd. are just a few retailers taking notice of this trend by opening up spaces specifically designed for men only. Dolce & Gabanna recently opened its flagship Men’s boutique in London (seen below) with the presentation of its newest Men’s Tailoring Collection.


Dolce & Gabanna London Flagship store

June 19, 2014

Street Game Social

Almost every detail of our lives is digitally documented via the present media crazed society we live in. Looking at fashion alone, we archive the entire process from a single thread to end user. Our social media accounts and blogs are personal diaries of what we wear and how we spend our time. And that is why, street style has become just as important as any runway show, fashion event, awards show, or movie premiere.

photo via I Am Galla

With an overwhelming amount of people deemed "IT" girls or landing "Ones to Watch" lists, bloggers, designers, models, photographers, and stylists, have made an entire living from having a strong online presence. And its not just women, but men as well, who have established an entirely new creative outlet and given a fresh perspective to the way we view the fashion scene. However, as blogging becomes more common and less authentic, has it reached its peak in the fashion cycle?

photo via WWD

Forget people becoming famous on reality TV because today it's all about how many followers you have online. And for some, these followers are turning into major dollar signs. By charging anywhere from $5-15K for appearances, brand promotion, collaborations, and advertising, top tier bloggers are making more than $1 million annually.

photo via NY Times

Then there are those that are taking a slightly more creative approach to sculpting an entire lifestyle around Instagram, which has proven to drive the most traffic, engagement, and overall sales compared to any other platform. Meet David Krugman, a 26 year old photo retoucher who now collaborates with several noteworthy cultural institutions in NY, including the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art, to build their Instagram profiles. In exchange for VIP access and free of charge, Krugman acts as a Consultant for NY's libraries and museums by adding an innovative touch to their accounts as well as helping them gain followers and promote events. As his fame and following grows (he has nearly 50,000 Instagram followers), he has been invited to assist other buzzworthy establishments like Esquire magazine and The National Gallery of Art in Washington and it's probably just the beginning.


Meanwhile, with so much focus on what we are wearing to fashion events, some argue that we've lost the "street" in street style. There's a difference between Bill Cunningham's legendary photos capturing real clothing and today's overflow of excessively styled looks characterizing the season's top trends. What was once impromptu, has become just as constructed as any runway show now that everyone from editors to models to ordinary people preen and pose ready to be photographed.

As for fashion labels, it's all about seeding product to someone cool with an influential following and so much less about the actual art of dress. Now that the ultimate road to exposure has been established, brands from high to low are striving to get a pretty face snapped wearing their products and if they are lucky a tag or shout-out. Which is why we have coined the term "street style bait," or key items from each season that grab the attention of photographers like Valentino's studded pumps or Givenchy printed tees.


That's why we love sites like The SartorialistChinatown Sartorialist and Humans of New York who capture spontaneous shots of pedestrian fashion at its finest. These are the "real" street style photographers that are bringing things back to the basics by telling people's stories through a picture.


Blogging in general in no longer organic, especially now that everyone is doing it. However, the one thing that leading bloggers and street style stars have, is a business mindset to reinvent themselves and turn their blogs into lifestyles. With just as much influence as any A list celeb, some have even evolved their brand names to include clothing and accessory lines, book launches, speaking tours, and journalism. And these are the social media gurus at the forefront of the industry that will continue to thrive under any circumstances. 

May 15, 2014

Dress Like A Man

What once was a lady's world is quickly changing as more men begin to conquer the fashion blogosphere with expert styling techniques, grooming advice, and of course covetable outfit formulas for any type of scenario. The voice and fashion sense of this new breed (or sex) of bloggers is dedicated to helping men dress better and teaching them how to translate contemporary trends into their own wardrobes. With so much already going on in cyberspace, these are the best of the best, bookmark-worthy menswear blogs out there.


A Continuous Lean
Founded in 2007 just before the menswear boom, this NYC based blog is the epitome of quality, style, and provenance. While some call him the godfather of menswear blogging, Michael Williams is not only the voice behind it all, but also the co-founder of Paul + Williams, a menswear focused PR and marketing firm. He covers everything from fashion to travel, product reviews, Made in the USA, and even highlights on tidbits of history and influential figures. Basically, the blog embodies all things interesting in a man's life and even more.

photo via I Am Galla

I Am Galla
With international recognition as a blogger, wardrobe stylist, and personal shopper all under his belt by 22, we can't wait to see what Adam Gallagher does next in the fashion world. His blog is full of editorial like stories documenting not only his modern perspective on fashion but his fabulous lifestyle and travels. What all began as an extension of his lookbook account at age 17, today has made him a fashion icon and given him an extraordinary fan base that's multiplying on the regular. Most recently, he's teamed up with Timberland as a Mark Maker for the launch of their Spring collection and we're sure this is just the beginning.

photo via Fashion Beans

Fashion Beans
If you're looking for an online magazine that's a one stop shop for everything you need to know about timeless style as a 21st century gent, well you've just found it. The site was founded in 2007 and today is backed by a talented team of experts specializing in fashion, grooming, health and fitness, street style trends, and of course, "the next big thing." One of our favorite perks on the site is that they offer all the latest discount codes from the likes of Urban Outfitters, ASOS, and Topman for all your shopping needs.

photo via Stay Classic

Stay Classic
Meet Tim Melideo, an LA photographer and super stylish dude. Stay Classic is a complication of his everyday life through his daily outfit posts which mix up a variety of different brands into one polished look. We can't help but love his style and how easy it is to shop as well. Not to mention, his Instagram is a compelling collection of retro looking snaps and OOTDs that will keep you inspired for days.

photo via Valet Mag

Valet Mag
Independently published and developed for the modern gentleman, Valet delivers day by day news on fashion, grooming, and culture for an audience of well-styled early adopters. The savvy online magazine is acclaimed for introducing the latest brands and products to the menswear realm. You'll also find another added extra called "The Edit," which features snapshots of curated topics from around the world including a daily "Watch List," which gives readers the chance to check out a selection of the best videos all in one spot.

photo via Edward's Hair

Edward's Hair
Highlighting his favorite outfit and music inspirations, you'll catch Edward Honaker styling everything from mainstream labels like Forever 21 and H&M to more high-end designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Paul Smith. No matter what he's wearing he always looks sharp, but with a quirky, boyish flare. Also, did we mention he has really great hair?

photo via Kate Loves Me

Kate Loves Me
Named for his love of Kate Moss, Pelayo Diaz is one of the hottest bloggers out there. Not only does he stem from Madrid, but he has a fashion design background from Central St. Martins, and come night, he DJs as well. This guy's got some edge and it's catching the eyes of editors, street photographers, designers, and celebs from around the globe with his clever style and artistic vision.

photo via Tahanga

You may have already heard but just in case, we are happy to officially announce that our Creative Director, Manuela Fassbender is now the co-founder of an exciting new menswear brand called Tahanga. By incorporating the latest advances in textile science, Tahanga combines style with functionality and design. From your bike to the conference room to the bar, you can now say "goodbye" to sweat marks forever. So stay tuned for more updates on the brand and the launch of its Kickstarter campaign by following Tahanga here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TahangaClothing
Instagram: http://instagram.com/tahangaclothing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TahangaClothing
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/tahangaclothing/
Tumblr: http://tahanga.tumblr.com
 
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MBF Trend Talk by MBF Trend Consulting is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at mbf-trendtalk.blogspot.com.