7.30.2013




The blogging industry has changed and as a result I've decided that so will A Hit of Sarah. Let me explain:


I started A Hit of Sarah in 2007 when I was just sixteen years old. Then it went by the name "Fashion Smashion" and was initially derived out of a strong desire to express my opinions on fashion and my ardor for the creativity that keeps it going. I wrote regularly, receiving comments from other bloggers around the world who had opinions of their own. From doing this I found an online community that made me feel like I was a part of something special. Every day after school, where "fashion" was a term used to describe ugg boots and juicy couture track suits, I went home to my laptop to discuss the real fashion going on across the globe. From discussing the work of seasoned couturiers to sharing excitement over low end collaborations (they weren't yet a popular thing back than), I had this seemingly immediate network of writers to share my passion with. It was something I really cherished.

Then out of the blogosphere bred a new type of blog, the personal style blog. These individuals took pictures of their daily outfits sharing them with their cultivated readerships. At that time the only two types of style bloggers that existed were those who held a really distinct personal style or those who were fortunate enough to afford the clothes found on runways each season. Many of these style blogs I came to fall in love with, yet as they grew in popularity so did the focus of their content. When a few style bloggers started receiving readerships as large as some publications and began influencing the personal style of thousands, some even millions, the industry of fashion blogging altered in a major way. Now on the rise, others saw that fame can now be found on the internet, that people online can tell you how pretty you look and how nice your outfit is. In time millions of people were suddenly "style bloggers." Looking in on the growing industry, brands took note of the blogging craze and started to take advantage of it. Soon enough it seemed that every personal style photo on the web featured a girl with ombre colored hair, a beanie, and a leather jacket, which presumably were all being fed to them through free clothing and sponsorships from all of the same brands.

It was around that time that I found myself changing my perception on the blogging industry. I developed this sort of inner twitch when I introduced myself to others as a "blogger." That statement, as of lately, was always received with a response I wasn't very comfortable with: an overlook at my current outfit and a facial expression that suggested that I may just be jumping on the fashion blog bandwagon. It often upset me and I wasn't sure how to properly express what it is I do without associating myself with that specific movement.  And sadly, as I rummaged through the web for new blogs I came to find that it was no longer the community I initially fell in love with, but a way for some to make a quick buck or display their narcissism on the internet. Now that the industry was being flooded with bloggers who seemed to all be wearing the same thing and covering all of the same designers, I struggled to find what set me apart from the others. I never was a personal style blogger, nor will I ever believe that people are actually interested in what I wear in my daily life, but still- what made my blog special and different from all of the others? It took me a while to discover my specific niche, but thanks to some inspiring influences in my professional life, finally, after 6 years of blogging, I have discovered it.

As it's quickly being replaced with short form blogging, I really want to keep journalism alive and continue to keep writing pieces in length, but in addition to all that I want to veer away from what's popular and what's trendy. As an example, this will mean that I will probably limit my constant Givenchy coverage. Although, I can't deny my love for Riccardo Tischi's work and I will never cease to sing his praises, I will refrain from doing so on my blog. Brands like Givenchy, Chanel, and Prada, have their collections celebrated everywhere from the covers of major fashion publications to the gorgeous celebrities adorning them on red carpets around the world. I do not need to recap the Givenchy show that I didn't even attend, when there are already bigger publications with larger audiences doing it with better access to the event. I certainly do not need to tell you how amazing Tischi's gowns are when Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Madonna are wearing them to highly publicized events. It would just be a waste of digital space for me to add to the Givenchy craze and although I absolutely love the brand, there is absolutely no need for me to do so.

What I do want to focus on are the creatives I admire more than anything; those who empower, those who struggle, those who fight and those who stop at nothing to produce their version of ultimate perfection. The under dogs, the under mined, the new and the up and coming and even those that work behind the scenes. The publicists and writers who can make or break anything in this industry. The artists and photographers whose work inspires many. Those are the people who seem to intrigue and inspire me the most and those are the ones I seem to always find myself looking for more information on and never really finding it. When I meet these types of people, I always conduct a sort of impromptu interview with them in conversation, for my own professional reference. I know I'm not the only one interested and so I promise to find those people and share their stories with my readership. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of A Hit of Sarah. We'll call it the post graduate chapter. I hope you'll continue to follow me through it and I promise there are a lot of exciting things to come! Thank you for continuing to believe in my work, my vision and a special thank you to all of you for unknowingly inspiring me and guiding me in the right direction.

12 comments:

  1. I came across your post from Susie Bubble's twitter, and I know exactly how you feel. When I started blogging, I was in fashion school and really wanted to talk about topics such as racism on the runway and the fall of couture, but eventually sucked it up and started personal style. I still sneak things in, but for the most part, people just want to see pictures of 'edgy' guys and girls all wearing boots and leather with a serious 'editorial' face.

    Honestly, this post was a great read and I'm glad I came across it. I'm still looking for my niche myself and I'm not sure what that will be. I guess time will tell. Hopefully not too much though. I really look forward to reading more of your work soon :)

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  2. wow - i've just come across your post and wholeheartedly agree. the evolution of fashion blogs and the rise of the personal style blog is something that baffles me. I have written many posts on my frustrations as a reader on my own blog and think your post is so thought-provoking. I really hope more people can open their eyes to our thinking: the blogosphere has become so oversaturated, filled with post after post of the same thing over and over again. I for one very much look forward to reading what you have to say in the future and hope many more will turn their attentions to what blogging should be: real quality content where people have something genuinely interesting to say.

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  3. I found you through Susie's tweet and really what a thought provoking piece. I fell into the trap thinking I had to produce a personal style blog to be up there with the rising stars of the blogging world. Finding the perfect niche is hard nowadays to set you apart in a sea of shallow blogging.

    I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing more of your work soon :)

    Nai

    www.notfromvenus.com

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  4. As someone who's been reading you since 2007, when I also started blogging, I couldn't agree more.
    I closed down my original blog because I felt sort of drowned by all these 'style bloggers' – or 'ego bloggers', as they call them in Spain, which is very apt, I think.
    The difference between them and us is we post because we really love this and not the praise or following that could stem from it.

    I x

    Also, email me! We need to have a coffee in NYC!

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  5. Hey Sarah, I followed Susie's link too. I've never really articulated this to myself but yes, I see your point. So much has changed since 2007 (when I also started blogging), not just with the community, but the technology. People would rather bung a selfie on Instagram than - God forbid - post a though-provoking opinion piece or interview. i think you're on the right track though, it's good to evolve. It's good to have a unique niche (even if it's a small one) that has some meaning and I think it would be great to read about unsung industry insiders. I'm sure a lot of the 'look at me' bloggers will eventually fall away leaving behind the passionate people who have something to say.

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  6. Ah yes.. Back in 2007, most of my friends doesn't even know what a blog is! What a beautiful days those were..
    I couldn't agree more about all blogs wearing the similar "trendy" items! All are looking good but too much of everything can quickly become "Blah". Which is why I'm more into vintage-inpired-personal-style blogs :)

    Such an inspiring post! Thank you for sharing, Sarah :)

    <3
    http://escapesweetest.blogspot.com

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  7. Sarah,

    This is my first visit. I, too, came from Susie's tweet. She is the only high fashion blogger that I read because she does a similar style of blogging that you aspire to. The first commenter ANthony said he wanted to do a piece on racism and the runway yet was deterred into doing something else yet today I somewhere I came across a piece on racism and the runway. It could of been him doing it a lot sooner if he just stuck to his guns. You have to do the kind of content you want to see. In business the first rule is; where there is a void-fill it.

    Your summary of the evolution of fashion blogging is spot on. The bottom line is that the majority of it is void of truth, ingenuity and authenticity and nothing more than vapid reproductions of mass consumerist ideological trends. That is how fashion works though- there are leaders and there are followers. True style is more than what you wear on your body. Its a lifestyle, a je ne said quois that can't be captured by the masses. If you focus on the art form of fashion and do it with intelligence, wit and a journalistic integrity you will do very well I'm sure. Good luck!

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  8. I completely agree and I feel SO happy to read this. You're describing a worldwide process in the fashion blogosphere, same happens here in Peru. I'll be sure looking forward your next pots.

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  10. I feel you sarah. Love what you said. I find myself bored of all those personal style bloggers because as much as I like looking at photos, I want some content to go along with it

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