Print Media Still Has A Pulse: September Issues On Newsstands

Photo credit: nikkistyle.net

September's Trending! The other day me and probably 99.9 percent of the fashion industry scurried to pick-up every September issue pertaining to style and beauty. We've been also "liking" photo-after-photo on Instagram of fashion enthusiasts proudly showing off their stacks. September issues are generally finger-licking thick, and consists of overwhelming amounts of ads and free sample perfume scents. Speaking of size, Self is the thinnest magazine in my pile. (Ha!) Pun intended, or nah?  

Photo Credit: Google

I spend a lot of time studying and analyzing content and creative direction. Like reading, it's my way to escape into the creative minds of brilliant individuals in the world. Sometimes I'm so wow'ed by an ad -- that I fixate on it and often wonder what the brainstorming session(s) was like -- to produce such a magnificent concept. I'm a geek like that! Also, I have a keen eye for good journalism and do read selected stories (what's left of them), as well as stay on top of emerging runway and pop culture fashion trends.

Print's Alive. Come. On. I know I'm not the only one that enjoys the hands-on experience of touching and reading a magazine while sipping a latte...and clipping outfits to post on (mood) bulletin boards...and bookmarking articles using colorful post-it sticky notes. Right? Well. Let us be sure to bask in these moment, because the conversation about whether or not print media is dying a slow death is still up for debate.

"Print vs. Digital" talks are interesting as it relates to evolution, for sure. However, we must consider the consumer in efforts to keep a thoughtful, sustainable balance: Not every reader has the means to purchase, nor has access to, technology. And (holy catastrophe) what if the world goes dark for weeks with no electricity and mobile data - then what?

Dear Publishing Industry: We can't go full-blown digital yet; we're not ready on so many levels. Disclaimer: I'm not bias and this is not an attempt to save print. Okay, yeah it is.

PRINT VERSUS DIGITAL: 

COMPARING THE 2 TYPES OF MARKETING (INFOGRAPHIC)

Photo Credit: Root Studio (Print vs. Digital), Mind Your Black Business (Infographic)

SELF AND ALLURE MERGING?

More Shuffling At Condé Nast. Yes. By now we know that print magazines are struggling at the newsstand. Lucky magazine unfortunately has become unlucky and according to WWD, SELF magazine could merge with Allure magazine.  

Now wait a minute.

Historically, SELF focused on fitness and health whilst Allure generated content — specifically, about beauty and how-to obtain a beat face. At first I was confused by the alleged merge, hence the Huh? Nicki Minaj head tilt pic. Because there's clearly a distinction in terms of readership: To this day, SELF generally targets fitness enthusiasts; Allure targets the beauty-obsessed. Right...?

But in efforts for corporate (Condé Nast) to perhaps "make nice" with the bottom line of its Profit and Loss statement, I suppose the merge is necessary from a financial standpoint and could potentially work, content-wise, as most of us strive to become our very best alluring selves. Coined!

The New York Post joined the media frenzy and published an article last week (July 23rd), "Three Condé Nast magazines might not exist in print soon."

The buzz inside Condé Nast, according to one well-placed source, is that there could be some major publisher consolidations — with certain bosses being asked to take on group publisher roles that will allow Condé Nast to consolidate the digital reach of related titles. 

There is also buzz around the high-profile publishing house that three titles are on the hot seat — and that at least one is likely to be shuttered. Two others may go digital only. [New York Post]

Do you think print media is dying a slow death?

Photo Credit: SELF

Photo Credit: Allure

Eva Chen Moves On To Instagram

Photo Credit: CNN Money

Eva Chen Is Set To Make A Move! I had planned to tweet Lucky magazine’s vivacious former editor-in-chief, Eva Chen, to inquire about her next career move after Lucky. Eva is not like some fashion insiders, she's actually responsive and appropriately sociable. But it turns out that I don’t have to tweet her, as I received an alert that Eva will be moving on to Instagram as its “Head of Fashion Partnerships." According to reports, Eva will begin her new role at the social media powerhouse at the end of July. 

Eva Chen tells Mashable: 

I’ll be working closely with stylists, designers, up-and-comers with fun activations and finding new ways to tell fashion stories.

If there's anyone that can pinpoint new ways to tell engaging fashion stories -- that would be Eva. Have you seen her Instagram? She's blessed with an authentic charm, for sure.

Photo Credit

I look forward to learning more about Eva's new role as the Head of Fashion Partnerships. Eva has mastered the art of social media community management, specifically using Instagram, so the position sounds fitting for our style maven. 

Best of luck, Miss. Eva Chen.

XoXo nikki

New York Fashion Week (S/S 2015): "I'm just over the hype." Or Am I...?

Lincoln Center for the J. Crew Spring 2012 via nytimes.com

Hey. Hey. Hey. The kick-off of New York Fashion Week is only days away. And the schedule is posted.

I'll get straight to the point and tell you that I'm looking forward to these two butterflies...

Marissa Webb [Credit]

Mara Hoffman [Source]

Yep-that's it. Marissa and Mara. 

Photo Credit

Thinking out loud. Runway shows are super cool, but I find myself becoming less and less interested in the glitz and overpriced glamour of "fashion week"—and more excited about what goes on behind-the-scenes. Strategic processes is my weakness. I love sitting around a table with highly creative geniuses to make a vision come to life before its debut, the show is merely icing on the cake. And speaking of overpriced glamour, pulling off a spectacular show during "fashion week" is extremely expensive! Why run a deficit year after year to buy $40,000-dollar lighting racks for fall and/or spring shows that run 20-30 minutes behind schedule--with the actual show running for what feels like...eh, 7-10 minutes long? That's a tad bit insane. Though some may beg to differ, and that's totally fine. 

However, Bob Bland, CEO of Manufacture NY said it best, "You don't have to have a NYFW show every season to have a successful line, and it really is dependent on what your line is about." [Source]  That said, there are many talented designers that are not in the mainstream forefront: Sneak a peek at the S/S '15 schedule. Did your favorite designers make the cut? Maybe so, maybe not. And if not, take it with a grain of salt, because they're most likely shining in other ways, at other places. Personally, I prefer intimate fashion presentations that allow its onlookers to study and appreciate the garments—not bolt to the next show. 

(No shade, I'm just over the hype.)

Styled To Rock.

Photo Credit: nymag.com

Denim Tutu! My thoughts have been fixated on denim; last week I blogged about the denim {-on-denim} trend -- even posted a few denim pieces that are suitable for the workplace. In any event, I came across an article: Urban Outfitters May Have Gone Too Far With A Denim Tutu. Um, excuse me? As if! I think the featured denim tutu is wicked cute and immediately pictured it on a little girl, or maybe Madonna...back in the day. It's fun!

"Urban may have finally crossed the line by selling a denim jumper-cum-tutu in its stores."

::CIA Activity:: Regarding the "ripping off indie designers" comment, I did some digging and discovered that the 'denim tutu' is not anything we haven't seen before; it's been done already. Reference: Exhibit A (Hm...but you ain't heard nothin' from me.) 

Exhibit A
Photo Credit: Baby Posh Couture April 2011