The world of fashion blogging has blown up in the last two or so years. Fashion Blogs are everywhere (I'm only sort of including myself in that collection). Several of these blogs and their creators are now finding themselves in the fast lane of fashion and fame. They are invited to top fashion shows, after parties and are sent gifts by the top designers. I think it goes with out saying that many of the non-famous or just starting out fashion bloggers (myself included) would love to be in these people's positions. I have never claimed to not be sort of shallow. BUT, there are reasons that these particular bloggers rise above the rest. Sometimes, it's through their unique personal style combined with their ability to get access to the latest fashion news and samples (i.e. Susie Bubble, Sea of Shoes). Sometimes, it's their unique photographic perspective like The Sartorialist and Tommy Ton. However, it is important to never rule out the power of someone who writes honestly, with unique insight, and a healthy dose of humor, because in a world as crazy as fashion, a little funny can go a long way. I get a lot of inspiration from these lads and lasses.
One such lass is very smart, funny, and relatable, has a wonderfully individual take on style, and is perhaps one of the most famous and most picked on bloggers is Tavi of Style Rookie. Tavi is only 14 years old, from Chicago and writes about fashion far more articulately and with more wit than I could have hoped to muster when I was her age and better than many people who write who are twice or three times her age. She has the jaded sense of humor of any proper teen and a fresh eye for calling things as they are in the fashion world. While many speculate whether or nor she writes her own material or has help, I believe she is for real. I think one of Tavi's greatest appeals is when fashion and fashion journalism can sometimes be completely phony and about artifice, Tavi is genuine. When she began she was simply a passionate fashion devotee who appreciates the transformative qualities of fashion. Even now, she still can feel the pure wonder of fashion with out being tainted by having to consider if the garment or item is something that will sell or appeal to the consuming masses. She reminds me of myself at her age. While I can't pull it off, I certainly appreciate her madcap style and even though now she gets all kinds of free gifts, she still wears it in a way that only she would.
With this wave of blogger stardom, comes the backlash. Tavi personally gets a lot of heckling for her age and for her style, but isn’t the beauty of fashion that we all can form our own stylistic identity. Tavi got lots of heckling for wearing an oversized bow to a couture show, which people felt blocked their view. I’m only going to offer my advice to these people once. Grow up. When People lash out at others less than half their age, I have to wonder what’s going on with them because it seems like there are unresolved issues there. There are those in the industry feel that bloggers like Tavi don't have the right to do what they do. Questions have come up about the qualifications that Tavi has and what gives her the right to be at fashion shows in the front row. It is so strange a concept to me that some parts of fashion can be so forward thinking, ground breaking, and up to the minute, while some parts of it stay stuck in the past. The culture of fashion has spread so much farther and so much faster in the past decade or two than it ever has before, thanks to easier access to the internet, retailers like H&M and Forever 21 producing knockoffs, live streaming runway shows, and television programs like Project Runway. You can't shake a stick these days without hitting a would be fashion designer, model, blogger, or old fashioned devotee. Fashion has intertwined with our way of life in the same way that fast food, consumerism, and baseball are a part of American culture. While I am no expert, I say that editors are no more qualified than bloggers. Fashion editors are journalists, fashion students, writers, and others who just fell into their career. Many of these people only learned about fashion and style by studying design the same way that bloggers like Tavi study the collections online and at shows and form their opinions. Most bloggers also preach the individual style gospel while magazines show what they feel the public should wear, what will be most flattering, and how to get thighs to meet guys. If I never read another article on liposuction, the latest diet, or how some person I've never heard of cheated on their spouse, went to a dark place but came out a better person in the end, it will be too soon. Now, let me say that I don't hate all magazines, I love a good fashion spread as much as the next person and I like learning about new things but as we all know, the magazine industry is dying and bloggers like Tavi may be the next step in evolution. I believe whole heartedly that bloggers like Tavi are poised to become the next big purveyors of style. I, also, hope that if I'm wrong, and bloggers are just having their 15 minutes, that they are prepared for that as well. From what I can tell about Tavi, I think she'll be resilient and great at what ever future endeavors she takes on.
Illustration of Tavi by Serene Khan for Sketch Magazine.

Tavi with fellow blogger, Susie Bubble.

Tavi working the Yokoo Chain.

Tavi and the case of the dasterdly bow.

Tavi on the cover of POP magazine.