Cameras are flashing from every angle while people with eccentric styles stand before you. And I am pretty sure I just saw Kelly Osbourne and her pomeranian walk by? Have I finally made it to New York Fashion Week? As the lights dim and music echoes through the room, I jump back to reality. Before you can connect with the atmosphere and the anxiousness for the big reveal, a sea of phone lights pop up like we are at a Beyoncé concert. Moment officially ruined… For someone in my shoes, that instance was equivalent to buying a $30,000 Birkin bag and then having it get run over by a truck.
Why can’t the people in the front row last more than five seconds without sending a text or taking a selfie? While your body as a whole is present in the room, how can their minds and heart? Chances are, if your phone is lit up, you have more important things to be doing than experiencing an opportunity that most would sell a kidney for.
As social media continues to play an intricate role in every day life, our phones are constantly made a priority. Congratulations, your phone is no longer super glued to you. Instead, you two are now conjoined twins. In the twenty-first century, it is not uncommon to meet a blogger who makes a living through their social media accounts. These photogenic, fashion fanatics spend their careers jetting off to various destinations and attending events wearing only the most fabulous pieces. Their entire lives are documented, and they make their living because people want to and can connect with them. Influential socialites are picked out of millions to attend the show so they can relate those emotions back to all of us. It is time for them to fulfill their responsibilities, and be an advocate for the collection within the industry.
Because social media has become so superficial and skin deep, our generation has lost the ability to truly analyze and seek the deeper meaning, especially in fashion. Think about it. What does the majority of a fashion show coverage look like? Most writers do nothing more than regurgitate the exact description of what was shown (to let you in on a little secret – half the time there’s a print out of the look rundown awaiting you at your seat). There is no longer depth in the content being put out into this world or intentional value that hits deeper than just the same old fashion trends seen on every single website.
Pointless and over exposed content does nothing positive for the industry. No one needs to scroll the #NYFW hashtag on Instagram and see no less than 3,495 blurry pictures (lowballing here) of the Tommy Hilfiger x Gigi runway show.
Think of the top 10 overplayed songs on the radio right now that seems to be on every single station you turn to. No matter how good they are, you’re so sick and tired of hearing them every 5 seconds (in their stupidly sped up or remixed and now compromised condition) they’re no longer enjoyable.
It’s not worth it – to focus on the major garment trends of the show through your tiny phone screen or camera lens (unless you’re a pro and your sole responsibility at the show is to capture beautiful, useable imagery). Put down the technology and experience the show in person. I’m not saying don’t post at all, just stick to posting a preview or two while upholding some higher standards of both intention and integrity… Not to mention you’ll also get some more life out of your forever dying iPhone.
In light of fully existing in the experiences during Fashion Week, this also means, it’s time to take the sunglasses off ladies and gentlemen. Anna Wintour is the only one with that right (because she probably knew what was going to come down the runway before the designer even sketched it). Open your eyes and put down the phone. Dissect every inch of color, embroidery, stitching and tailoring to truly appreciate the beauty that fashion offers – you can’t possibly do this looking through smudged, perspective dimming shades.
Trust me, it is ok if you don’t catch every second on your phone. There are videographers there for a reason. Just focus on being present and living in the moment because you may never get it again. Sure you can pick a few looks to document on your blog, but a mental picture will last longer than any digital picture and it will actually have meaning and emotion behind it. And, I pinky promise, the more you show up completely – not just physically – for the affair, the better your writing and coverage will afterwards.
During a time where social media is the queen bee of the industry, try not get caught up with glitz and glamour. That is truly where the trouble begins. The industry could begin a Renaissance if people would start paying attention to fashion as an art form instead of staying stuck in their own heads, and not what you are going to post on your snapchat story. You don’t have to share every second of your life on the media (I know, shocker… to quote Phoebe Buffay, “THIS IS BRAND NEW INFORMATION“). Take time and appreciate where you are and what you are witnessing. If not, it will whisk past you and you will not have taken anything away from the experience other than a blurry video or photo (which are really not serving your audience in any kind of value anyway).
I understand that you need content but in a city like New York, there are plenty other ways to find it. Put the phone down, take the sunglasses off and do not take a single moment for granted. Your journey will be far more rewarding.
Check out The Gem’s Spring/Summer 2017 content for inspiration on brining depth back to the industry.