For the third straight year, emerging brands and growing bloggers have come together during New York Fashion Week to forge new relationships, build stronger networks and learn directly from their peers how to achieve stronger results from collaborations and continue to grow their personal brand. While quite a few of this year’s attendees had participated in the event in years prior, it seemed that a growing network of bloggers across the nature are becoming increasingly aware of the event. As one of the largest networking events for bloggers and brands during New York Fashion Week, many seemed excited just to be able to connect with their peers in an intimate environment. Some free bubbly after a hectic weekend didn’t hurt any.
It helped that the festivities took place for the first time at the Manhattan Penthouse, 18 stories above Union Square in a historic 5th avenue building with views extending as far south as the Freedom Towers and much further north. From this perch atop the city, the views of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building were just as amazing as the fashion in the room. From influencers as small as Blah to as large as Blah, the night’s festivities, the one commonality was that everyone was dressed in their fashion week finery.
Amid sips of lovely Rose sponsored by Bartenura Moscato, bloggers spoke about everything from the prior week’s events to personal style to collaborative opportunities with brands, all while snapping selfies and enjoying a good laugh along the way. To keep the energy high throughout, Hello It’s Jeanna DJed as she had in the past, spinning hits from RnB, soul, trap and more without missing a beat. As day transitioned to evening, everyone began to settle in for what would be the highlight of the evening: a panel discussion moderated by Ombre Digital’s own Katie Lacour. The three beautiful and multi talented women eager to impart their experiences were Mary Gui of Layers of Chic, a full time lifestyle blogger who had previously been a part of our Shop Event, Christina Galbato of the Bold Brunette, a full time travel blogger who had grown her following to over 100K in less than eighteen months and Stephanie Abrams Cartin, Founder of Social Fly, a boutique social and influencer marketing agency that has worked with brands such as Vera Bradley and Karl Lagerfield Paris.
An enraptured audience of over 120 bloggers and brands listened intently to the advice from the panelists, ranging from collaborative strategies to personal branding to how to transition to be a blogger and more. Even at the conclusion of the panel, many in attendance rushed the stage for an opportunity to receive more personal advice on their brand’s development. A key moment came when lifestyle blogger Mary Gui told the audience to consistently be unique and do what it is they do best a message that resonated well with all in attendance.
For many influencers before and after the panel, the Nineteenth Amendment lounge, sponsored by the Nineteenth Amendment represented the best opportunity to connect with any number of designers in attendance, invited in particular for their interest in networking with local influencers who could help promote their brand. Labels such as Kaer Brooklyn, Alice Voltaire Rosina Mae and Pariah 5K all attended as guests of Nineteenth Amendment, a platform that hopes to build the viability of independent designers though assisting with manufacturing, production and pre-sale / market research in one partner.
While comments about the quality of the panel, sweetness of the Rose and beauty of the venue rolled in, influencers and brands slowly began to roll out. It was a night filled with learning, building relationships, connecting with peers and celebrating a mutual admiration for fashion and female leadership. Everyone in attendance walked away with gift bags featuring products from Adesse NY and When Face Mask, our two beauty sponsors for the evening, as well as an assortment of goodies from Sunglasses, South of France Body Care and Bartenura Moscato.
As Blogger and the Brand continues to grow the value it provides to independent influencers and emerging designers will as well. We hope to see you at next year’s events and you can find out quite a bit more at http://bloggerandthebrand.com. Also the below video was produced by the lovely London Liu.
