(photo: Driely S.)
Not only is the IFB (Independent Fashion Bloggers) community awesome + incredibly generous, when attending my first IFB Conference (IFB Con) earlier this week, just confirmed that and a whole lot more.
On Day One, I found it funny how fashion bloggers were fashionably late with a line around the corner still at 9:15 am with a hard start at 9:30 am. Now mind you, the chance of rain didn’t phase us fashion bloggers with all the suede, sparkle and high, high heels in sight. Cameras were carried around like oxygen tanks, which just punctuated the sad truth of how much I really need one (but I knew this already!) – so it comes as no surprise how my phone was just not cutting it + how much I sucked for this – Xmas may have to come earlier than expected this year dammit!
Everywhere I turned it was just fabulous to see everyone’s different POV when it came to their own fashion sense which brings to mind a common theme throughout the 2day affair – AUTHENTICITY is key to setting you apart from everyone else because let’s face it, 15mins ain’t cutting it anymore – with most of the world being so plugged-in, things move at an eye blink’s pace, which hinders one’s guarantee to truly stand out. Overall, the many looks I witnessed included animal prints, neon, sparkle, buns, sky-high heels, and more heels, lavender hair, beautifully shaped bald heads, fab shoes, cutouts, lots of peplum tops, leather, prints, pattern, and texture – think that’s most of it but I’m sure I missed a few if you can believe that one. It was also great to see a few blogger gents – there’s not many of them out there but glad they decided to come out and play too.
Day One brought us panelist visionaries including Fashion + Beauty Expert, Mary Alice Stephenson in a killer look, Kate Arends of Wit & Delight wearing a sick hair cut, charming and informative YM Ousley of Signature 9 and the always funny, New York Times best-selling author, fashion writer, editor + blogger, Derek Blasberg, seen here shot by Terry Richardson
who interviewed model + blogger Coco Rocha shot here by Ellen Von Unwerth for Vs Magazine.
As far as sponsors go, the list was quite impressive including the following: Delicious Vita Coco, was on hand to quench our thirst, all day everyday, after rigorous typing, texting and clicking shots – MailChimp, with their arts + crafts corner offered bloggers the chance to ‘pimp their charcoal illustrated chimp’ on super soft grey tees with a bevy of sequins, ribbons and thread on hand – bareMinerals, showcasing their READY SPF 20 Foundation,
which didn’t feel like foundation at all (you know that feeling of having your face shrink-wrapped caused by most wretched foundations), provided mini-makeovers + let me tell you, my face never looked better, but the best of this experience for me was finding out that since their products are comprised of natural ingredients, after a night of one too many cocktails, you can hit your pillow without washing your face and wake up with no worries of gaining the infamous congregation of zits caused by ‘clogged pores’ the morning after – Julep Maven also made an appearance and caused quite an impression with complimentary manis like mine below with a base in Popova, Boho Glam, a kelly green creme with glittery ombre tips in Yumi, American Beauty finished off by a free polish in a color of your choice – but the coolest thing about Julep Maven is what they’re all about
– they’re kind of a club where you basically become a ‘Julep Maven’ by taking a style quiz granting you access to cool colors delivered to you each month based on your answers. Colors are then hand-picked from trendsetting new nail colors to cult faves and cutting-edge beauty products just right for you AND you decide how often you want to receive your Julep Maven box with the option to cancel at any time.
Day Two’s panelists did not disappoint including the hilarious Eddie Newton of Mister Newton, the inspirational and smart Michelle Madhok of SheFinds, MomFinds + BrideFinds, the beautiful Kelly Framel of The Glamourai, Eva Chen of Teen Vogue and Lily Mandelbaum + Elisa Goodkind of Style Like U. But the standout of the day was legendary and gorgeous Iman with Dana Randall from BBT Factory, discussing Iman’s website Destination Iman and interviewed by Peter Davis, editor-in-chief of SCENE magazine – the best part of that interview:
Peter Davis to Iman (paraphrasing here): So now that you’ve done cosmetics and ‘Destination Iman’, what’s next for you?
Iman, and I quote, I swear: Like Honey Boo Boo says, ‘I want to be queen of it all!’
Overall, the conference was informative on the many resources and tools essential to becoming a successful fashion blogger including the value of Pinterest, the importance of supporting and protecting each other as bloggers, creating a business plan if you’re planning to tread forward as a brand and business which might or might not lead to making money and reinforcing the notion of how bloggers have legitimately changed fashion and the fashion industry as a whole, a fact that no longer is riddled with dismissive ridicule.
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next IFB Con in February!