Here Come Up the (Fashion) Bloggers

On a story about how bloggers have, literally, moved up to the walkway first row seats, the NYTimes published this picture by Dennis Valle:



Three bloggers up front. And here is some of the article:

As a relatively new phenomenon in the crowded arena of journalists whose specialty it is to report the news of the catwalks, fashion bloggers have ascended from the nosebleed seats to the front row with such alacrity that a long-held social code among editors, one that prizes position and experience above outward displays of ambition or enjoyment, has practically been obliterated...

“There has been a complete change this year,” said Kelly Cutrone, who has been organizing fashion shows since 1987. “Do I think, as a publicist, that I now have to have my eye on some kid who’s writing a blog in Oklahoma as much as I do on an editor from Vogue? Absolutely. Because once they write something on the Internet, it’s never coming down. And it’s the first thing a designer is going to see.”

Perhaps it was to be expected that the communications revolution would affect the makeup of the fashion news media in much the same way it has changed the broader news media landscape...blogs have made remarkable strides in gaining both readership and higher profiles. At the shows this year, there were more seats reserved for editors from Fashionista, Fashionologie, Fashiontoast, Fashionair and others, and fewer for reporters from regional newspapers that can no longer afford the expense of covering the runways independently.

But it is somewhat surprising that designers are adjusting to the new breed of online reporter more readily than magazines, which have been slow to adapt to the demand for instant content about all things fashion. Blogs are posting images and reviews of collections before the last model exits the runway, while magazine editors are still jockeying to feature those clothes in issues that will be published months later.

So it is not without reason that some editors feel threatened, or that seasoned critics worry...

At the Second Jewish Bloggers Convnetion, Prime Minister Advisor Ron Dermer promised to provide accreditation for bloggers as recognized journalists here in Israel so we can attend press conferences and such. You know, cover the news?

Okay, he didn't say everybody and he didn't say immediately.

But, Ron, any progress?

Maybe select a few of us and see how it goes?

I know that the IDF is more open to a new arrangement with bloggers.

Can we hear from you?

Remember, it's the way it's going all over.