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NYFW Part 2. IFB: Evolving Influence

The NYFW recap is back! And we shall move quickly through this, I promise. I know it’s been a long time coming, but throw in all the other aspects of life and phew! Time flies, it’s Thursday. and February is nearly over. Where did it go? Yeah, I don’t know either.

Anyway, let’s get right to it, shall we?

One of the main reasons I made the trip to NY was to attend the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference, Evolving Influence, hosted at MAC & Milk Studios. For those of you who are not familiar with the IFB conference, it is the world largest fashion blogger conference hosted during New York fashion week, with speakers ranging from the designers from Proenza Schouler to LeAndra of Man Repeller, and representatives from Tumblr, Refinery 29, and anything and everything in between. Let’s just say Milk Studios was bursting with knowledge, talent, and potential- it was surreal and even somewhat overwhelming!
Schedule of events at Milk Studios during Fashion Week.
 I ended up volunteering to help work the conference, along with Erika of Style Activist, and had to be up before the crack of dawn to make my way into the city and over to the Chelsea District. Yes, in case you were wondering, we were exhausted.
Erika & I shortly after arriving at Milk Studios.
We helped check the attendees in, along with some of the lovely ladies pictured below, and got to live tweet for @_IFB via iPad, amongst other things. It was an experience to say the least. For any of you considering attending IFB in the future, if it is your first time I suggest to not volunteer. Yes, you get to listen to the panels, but no you do not get to really absorb the information, take notes, etc. I was actually fortunate enough to have a task that enabled me to sit and take notes- thank goodness!
Some other volunteers- Ladies, I forgot your names! Please comment if you see this 🙂
Jennine, founder of IFB, really put together an incredible assortment of speakers, panelists, and moderators for the conference. The topics were all relevant to each blogger and encouraged each of us to keep pressing on with what we are doing. Here are some of the key points from the conference:
  • Stay true to yourself, your mission, and your purpose as a blogger when working with brands. Don’t become the blogger who accepts any and every endorsement, gift, deal, etc.
  • Take initiative: determine how to improve when a relationship or idea fails, and don’t be afraid to fail.
  • Bloggers are brands who works with other brands. 
  • Do what you do, and do it well. 
  • Know your direction, develop your content, and keep a consistent voice. 
Phenomenal panel – Moderated by Vahni of Grit & Glamour – Panelists from right: Caitlin NiChathain of Gucci, Tony Wang of Post.Fashionism, Gregory Shove of Halogen, Piera Gelardi of Refinery 29, Craid Arend of Altamira: Models off Duty, and Keiko Groves of Keiko Lynn
 The last two points are probably my favorite. The main idea stressed throughout each panel was to be unique and have your own personality/style. What is interesting about you if you’re doing the same exact thing as the next blogger? As bloggers, we are a personal voice, that others can relate to, and want to relate to. This is why brands are reaching out to us. It’s important to keep our uniqueness throughout all of this and remember to stay true to who we are.

Erika and I slipped out early to rest our poor little feet and enjoy some Thai takeout (finally, food!) after a long tiresome day. (props to the man at the hotel front desk!) We watched the last panel of the conference via livestream before touching up and joining some of our friends for after party at the Chelsea Room. My boyfriend met up with us at the Chelsea Room, where we mingled and chatted with many of our new-found friends, including one of the Denimology girls!

Here are some more photos of the day and at the Chelsea Room: Enjoy!
The Find gift bags stuffed with MAC makeup, Gift Cards, a Juicy Couture bracelet, & coupons.
Francesca of Le Kiss Kiss, Caitlin of Style Within Reach, and Meghan the Levi’s Girl
Lynzy of Sparkling Footsteps & Kendall of Kendall Donaldson – adore these dolls!

 

 Some great new friends. Tired but still going after a long day! Christine of View from 5 ft. 2, Kendall, Francesca, Lynzy, and I
Erika, Pablo (@MrBabyCakes), LJ (boyfriend), and I at the Chelsea Room
Thank you to everyone at IFB for such an incredible day!
If I’ve missed a link to you or your blog, please let me know in the comments below.

It was wonderful meeting each and every one of you bloggers at IFB. It’s nearly impossible to name all of you here. 

Stay tuned for installment 3 of my New York adventues!
XXXO,
M

12 Comments

  1. Gabriella said:
    2.24.11

    Looks like you had a fun (and def exhausting!) time! x

    Reply
  2. styleforlife said:
    2.24.11

    Love!! Such fun! xx Emily of EL Vintage

    Reply
  3. Lynzy said:
    2.25.11

    Bring me back to New York!! Ahhhhh

    Reply
  4. Marissa said:
    2.25.11

    This is a fantastic recap, and an absolutely GORGEOUS pic of you and Erika!

    Reply
  5. 2.25.11

    Oh my… I look so sleepy. But it was definitely all worth it. Loved the recap! Very well done.

    Xo,
    Erika

    Reply
  6. Laura said:
    2.25.11

    This event sounds incredible! I hope to be there next year. I love your black dress, by the way.

    I found your blog through Lynzy’s and I just love it!!

    Reply
  7. cryskay said:
    2.26.11

    what a great event! sounds like a lot of fun and educational as well. you are gorgeous! xo

    check out my GIVEAWAY a la sparkle!
    http://www.cryskay.com

    Reply
  8. Lee Oliveira said:
    2.27.11

    Oh god, I miss that week in NYC. I cant wait for the next season
    Lee x

    Reply
  9. Sarah said:
    2.28.11

    This looked like heaps of fun! And looks really inspiring and amazing. It definitely was a wonderful experience ay! Especially being part of the crew. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. 2.28.11

    Aw, I love that first shot of you and Erika!

    ••V••
    http://www.gritandglamour.com
    @gritandglamour

    Reply
  11. Chelsea Rae said:
    2.28.11

    It was nice that they encouraged individuality. I honestly think that was the best takeaway from the conference as well, and I hope more bloggers truly take that advice to heart because why blog if you aren’t going to show the world who YOU are?

    Reply
  12. CessOviedo said:
    3.1.11

    Awesome pictures! Loved the hats, feel inspired!

    <3 Cess O.
    http://blog.cessoviedo.com

    Reply

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