When I first heard about IFB.com (International Fashion Bloggers), I was wary.
The 50 trillion 'friend requests' and 'Follow back!' messages flooding my inbox every time I logged in didn't help, that's for sure.
Fueling my skepticism too was also an inherent and demonstrably stubborn distaste for authority.
Once I got beyond the spam and officialness, though, I started to appreciate the site on a much deeper level.
Commenting on blogging isn't easy.
Oftentimes, it's uncomfortable. It forces you to admit things about yourself that you wouldn't typically confront. If I'm honest, "fashion" blogging itself is a pretty awkward phenomenon in general. When 90% of your Facebook photos are 'selfies', you'd rather stay in and peruse Style.com than go out with friends, and your shoe closet is fuller than your fridge, you stick out from a good share of society.
Just like metacognition (thinking about thinking) prompts self-evaluation of the assumptions we make on a daily basis, metablognition (heh heh) incites a similar kind of mentally tiring reflection.
With so many blogs to read, shows to see and street style stars to oggle, it's easy to brain-wash ourselves into thinking that there's only one way to do something.
It's simple to assume that there are the clothes-makers, the trendsetters, the vendors and the critics - that lines are thick and un-crossable - and that boxes are vessels outside of which thought is not to be had.
I mean, how much time is spent nailing down the "5 Hottest Looks for Spring" or the "Easy Hair Styling Tricks from The Glamouri's Kelly Framel".
We see, we react, we imitate.
I do it too.
Which is why the extreme thought put into each IFB post has really shocked me. It's writers confront trends that I've accepted as universal, question thought-processes that I assumed were natural, and bring to light issues in fashion and blogging that most people don't much like to address (sponsorship issues, your actual blog "size", the meaning of "success", etc etc).
Anyhow, this is all to narcissistically preclude the announcement that I'm part of their 20 Links a la Mode this week - among a bunch of other really great writers and ideas. Check out the "15 Fashion Bloggers Then and Now" for some really awkward self-confidence boosting photos of now epically perfect ladies. "Under a Veil" does a beautiful labor-intensive analysis of Etro's SS '13 line's Asian influence, and "Aesthete" nails a Menkes response with points I hadn't even thought to consider.
Enjoy...
A Stylish Salad
Edited by: Jess of Fresh Jess This is my last turn as editor for Links a la Mode, and what a treat it’s been! I’ve read hundreds of blog posts and discovered some wonderful reads I would never have found otherwise. The IFB community is a true gem on the interwebz. There’s a salad in this week’s picks that reflect the entire IFB palate: thoughtful perspectives to incite dialogue, a peek into some of fashion’s biggest events, helpful tips to better your blogging or style, and outfit posts that truly reflect personal style. Some posts are fun and cheeky, not taking fashion seriously. Others are passionate and conversational. All of them reflect IFB as a community. IFB is an invaluable resource for networking and furthering our skills as bloggers, and I’m glad to be here. I’m glad you are too. "
Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup For February 28th:
- Aesthete: Lighten Up, Suzy Menkes
- All Things Kate: Haters Gonna Hate
- Awkward City, Population 1: NYFW ‘13: All of Your Wildest Most Terrible Dreams
- Collections and Volumes: Pushing the Envelope
- Elle Yeah: London Fashion Week Diary A/W ‘13: Day 1
- Fashsin City: Barren Boho
- Fleur d’Elise: 5 Tips for Better Blogging
- I’m an Airhead: I Love You Blair Waldorf
- Informed Style: My Informed Style: What to Wear for Paris Fashion Week
- Laura Valuta: Style Post
- Living After Midnite: Room for Style: Fashion with Complementary Colors
- Lollie Shopping: MAGIC Market Week Las Vegas Recap
- Look Sharp, Sconnie: I Support Swag; Pros and Cons of “C/O”
- Nicole’s Revolution: Fashion Friday – OOTD Kid’s Wear
- Pish Posh Perfect: Well-Organized Closet: Ways to Maximize a Small Space
- Sara Constance: How To: Night and Day Outfit
- Simply Frabulous: Unique, Innovative, Brilliant. Prada AW13
- Spy Girl: Tech Tip: Using Google Images Search with Pinterest
- The Stylist: 15 Fashion Bloggers Then and Now
- Under a Veil: Zoon In: Etro SS 2013 – The Asian Legacy
Cheers y'all
PS: The deal is, if your'e featured, you post the other featured blogs as well. I think it's a great way to learn about smart new writers who aren't necessarily on the top tier of the blogosphere. Just wanted to give you a heads up of the motivations behind this post.
Cheerio.
not a huge fan of IFB myself. IMO their site is REALLY slow. as someone who works for a technology company it irks me lol the user interface could be infinitely better
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