Author Archive
Posted February 8th, 2008 by Neha
Fashion Week in 2007 was the year for the celebration of staple institutions in the fashion world. Lacoste was applauded for 75 years of defining timeless and Ralph Lauren took a much deserved bow at the end of the runway for 40 years that have reshaped the industry.
As last year applauded the traditional, Fashion Week 2008 has embraced the new. New media that is. In 2006, bloggers were handed the much vied for press passes among the Anna Wintours of the industry. 2008 sees another first on this front. IQONS.com, a social networking platform that has connected some of fashion’s premier young talent with the industry’s superstars, was enlisted as a media partnership, alongside longtime traditional media partner The New York Times.
I find the most compelling aspect of social media to be the ability for a community to contribute their own thoughts and build upon one another’s ideas. It gives everyone a voice, even those who don’t get those prized seats at the runway. So I find it fitting that with the induction of this new media partnership, IQONS will circulate the first issue of its user-generated magazine among the jewel tone clad fashionistas perched under the white peaks of the Bryant Park tents. Meanwhile I will shiver in Boston, and try to live vicariously through some of my favorite fashion bloggers (Fashion Tribes) who were given the ultimate nod from the industry by getting press passes to arguably, the most glamorous week of the year.
Posted January 11th, 2008 by Neha
I suppose I’m a Facebook snob. I created my profile on Facebook before the time of news feeds, throwing sheep or giving gifts of lipstick and penguins. The clean appearance of the profile appealed to me then.
I’ve been wary of the superwalls, graffiti and bumper stickers that are tacked on to chaotic profiles now. I diffidently adopt applications that align with my interests – like the causes application or the “Where Have I Been” travel map. I’m shamelessly careful not to clutter my page, even voting applications, groups and profile information off to maintain order.
Last month I received a Facebook gift from one of my favorite non-profit bloggers, Beth. It was a tiny pink and green gift box and in it, a donation to the organization of her choice. With each gift you buy with this Changing The Present application, you can make a donation to any of the non-profits that have teamed up with the application. I scoured the organizations to return the gift to Beth and introduce it to other friends of mine.
The application introduced me to Freedom from Hunger, a non-profit I donated to by presenting little pink and green facebook gift boxes to ten of my friends. So today, there is a box on my profile that displays the first gift I received from Beth. In my news feed, where I normally hastily delete any activity to minimize that box as much as possible, I have retained the information about my own Changing the Present gift giving so anyone who stumbles across my profile may find this gift – one that I find far more distinctive and meaningful than animated teddy bears and balloons.
This Christmas, my family and friends made donations to Freedom from Hunger in my name. My parents sponsored a program that allows 378 young mothers in a 3rd world country to be educated so they can help guide their daughters into a better life. The card that accompanied their donation and thanked me for my support was nestled under the tree in a large sage green box with a deep pink bow wrapped around it. Apparently, tiny colorful boxes on Facebook can lead to life-size change.
Posted October 19th, 2007 by Neha
I’m used to pink products piled on shelves for the month of October, but I was pleasantly surprised when I watched bloggers turn pink for this month. The face of many of my favorite blogs changed their look in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Though changing colors and placing a pink ribbon on your facebook page may not necessarily generate funds it does peak people’s curiosity, inspire people to learn more and prompt some to take action.
For the bloggers who are already pink, they have adopted their own means of supporting causes. Recently as I was scouring The Budget Fashionista for some fabulous fashion tips, I realized Kathryn and Angela were doing their part by contributing a $1 toward the Breast Cancer Awareness fund for every comment readers left on their posts.
Since breast cancer has touched the lives of many, it has garnered significant support. However, we all support causes that we feel passionately about, whether they are on a large or small scale. I’m an avid reader of Beth Kanter’s blog which documents how non profits can implement social media. Beth just launched a personal campaign for a Cambodian student she cultivated a relationship with. Her fundraising efforts have gotten the support of people Beth has never met, but have learned about the cause through twitter feeds, facebook and other bloggers. I learned about her fundraising efforts as I noticed that in place of her daily musings were thank you blog notes to contributors to her campaign. Each of these generous contributions are going to help make a difference in Leng Sopharth’s life.
Today, I posted a little note on TBF and made a contribution to Beth’s Sharing Foundation. Whether they are making a difference in one life or a million, these women and bloggers have my support.
Posted September 24th, 2007 by Neha
Rumors that 14 year old Disney star Miley Cyrus is pregnant circulated around radio waves bright and early this morning. The radio program, Matty in the Morning, had assistants frantically trying to confirm these rumors. Once upon a time, when a rumor needed to be verified, contacts at print publications like US Weekly were on speed dial. Yet, this morning the contact that was bombarded with phone calls and email was none other than the most notorious blogger.
Listeners were assured that all efforts were being made to contact Perez Hilton to solve the mystery of the alleged pregnancy. Kerry, a member of the Matty in the Morning team, proudly stated that she had Perez Hilton’s cell phone number and another team member was simultaneously flooding Perez’s inbox with inquiries.
A brief post on Perez’s blog quelled the rapid rumor and put it to rest. But one thing remains true - a shift became apparent this morning when traditional media turned to social media for news and content. The blogger used to generate content by scouring magazines and gossip columns in newspapers but now Perez Hilton, the king of gossip, has emerged the ultimate source of
Hollywood chatter.
Posted July 27th, 2007 by Neha
I never thought I could get so engrossed in the series, but I have, as have ten million others who bought J.K. Rowling’s seventh book within the first 24 hours. As hardbound copies of Deathly Hallows adorned the windows of Barnes & Nobles and Borders around the nation and crowds gathered to learn about the perils and dangers that lurk in wizard world for round 7 of the Harry Potter series, a group of people in the real world are taking on the challenge of reminding readers and fans of some more serious issues.
I learned about the Harry Potter Alliance recently – an organization started by two young guys, Andrew Slack and Justin Oberman, on MySpace who had two common interests – social causes and Harry Potter. Through the power of social networking, the group grew in numbers and is now dedicated to familiarizing young readers about the parallels of the Dark Arts to the goings –on outside of Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Dark Lord Wal-de-Mart videos, posted by the HP Alliance, raged across YouTube so adolescents could understand the controversial ethics policies of the behemoth retailer.
So while I quickly scooted into the nearest corner bookshop to get my own closure with the series this past weekend, the HP Alliance is encouraging avid fans to throw house parties to generate awareness for the crisis in Darfur. Party attendees are invited to indulge in food and treats and also learn a bit more about Darfur through a Pottercast with Joe Wilson, former U.S. Ambassador; John Prendergast, Senior Advisor to the International Crisis Group; Dot Maver, Executive Director of the Peace Alliance; and John Passacantando, Executive Director of Greenpeace.
So as I plunge headfirst into the last of the series to see what happens to Harry this time around, HP Alliance will take on the bigger issues and perhaps I’ll have a little dinner party myself to help them out in their strides toward social awareness.