I recently read via an online source that it has become increasingly important for big time brands to fill their front rows with well-dressed, famous faces in a bid to drive publicity, social networking figures and sales. This news came as no surprise, as a fashion week without a celebrity showing is like a yin without the yang, however the message that struck me was that for some, the lens has become more of a concern than the fashion show itself; who can be photographed, in what, alongside who, sporting which trend? There has always been much concern for what one should be seen in at fashion week, however as the blogging and street style craze continues to escalate, so does the pressure to look good, thus increasing a private desire to be photographed.
Although I have attended London Fashion Week on many an occasion either with work or for pleasure, dressing for the shows has never been a top priority. Think what you will, but for those 7 minutes of show glory I care much more for what is infront of me, rather than what the person next to me is wearing and so forth. Perhaps I am a little bitter as over the recent 5 days of London shows, I wasn't photographed at all, minus a quick snap at Peter Pilotto where I had on a neon jumper and white shirt. Previous to that moment, it had occurred to me at the end of every day that I hadn't been stopped on the cobbles of Somerset House at all and for a few seconds, I doubted my style and my wardrobe.
Thinking about this now, I laugh to myself as why should it matter whether my face and pose makes it to a street style blog or website? I am a reporter, not a stylist. On the one hand there is a wonderful self-satisfaction of being plucked from the masses by a fellow fashionista and deemed stylish - there is no denying that these casual, street images are being examined by the industry for inspiration and influence - while on the other hand people are noticeably dressing purely for show, with great personal intent of having their photograph taken. Surely this doesn't portray the genuine beauty and reason behind street style? And what truly accounts as stylish today anyway? Perhaps we have the infamous Anna Dello Russo to blame for the explosion in fancy, over-the-top dressing; Anna's fantastic yet extravagant display of daily catwalk attire never ceases to attract the cameras and, although many of us would consider such attention irritating and stressful, Anna was recently reported saying she wouldn't have it any other way.
The thousands of Internet blog and style pages in question have welcomed a competitive, fresh approach to editorial: the countless street style images available online have provided a bottomless image bank to stylists, trend forecasters, editors and such like that want to draw on what is really happening, NOW. As in many cases however, quantity does not always ascertain quality and in the example of street style, there is now a fine line running between the two.