Kicking New York fashion week with a decided bang, Independent Fashion Bloggers sponsored its bi-annual Evolving Influence conference. A conference by fashion bloggers for fashion bloggers. Since it’s inception, IFB (and it’s lovely and supportive founder Jennine) have cultivated a community of independent style bloggers and provided useful information on starting, maintaining and growing a blog.
In a word, the conference was nothing short of AMAZING! Sponsorships by American Express, the Find and Jeff Silverman allowed for a high level of production. And the speakers!!! The speakers were the stuff of fashion blogging legends: Susie Bubble, Bryanboy, Rumi Neely, Gala Darling, Phil Oh and many more. This being my first time attending, I didn’t know what to expect and was appreciative of the detail and hard work that went into it.
Snaps for the Kids
{Stylish bloggers all around}
{Gala Darling and I. I look like I’ve seen the blogging Dalai Lama… she is fucking awesome!}
{I was stalking her boots. I might have even threatened her to watch her back}
{The After-Party. Cool people, Cooler Conversations}
Of course there were some key takeaways and I compiled them in this list of
5 things I learned at Evolving Influence
1. Blog for the Love of It, for the Intense, deep love of it
The common thread throughout the event was PASSION! All of the presenters blogged because they loved it and were deeply committed to it. Not for traffic, not for recognition, damn sure not for money, but because they were passionate about what they had to say. And the other things naturally followed.
2. Community isn’t just important; its ESSENTIAL
IFB is a community for bloggers and my favorite part of the entire day was getting to meet some pretty awesome, like-minded people. Putting faces to the blogs that I’ve grown to love and talking with new and fast friends. We get so used to dealing behind a computer screen, it was nice to step away and get up close & personal.
3. Get a boyfriend and get one Fast
So if I didn’t already feel bad about being single, now I’m devastated that I don’t have a boyfriend-slash-photographer to take amazing outfit photos for me. Sadface.com. It seems that {Hot boyfriend + DSLR + Cool Outfits= Blogging Success}
4. Bloggers are everyday people
Seeing my blogging idols Susie Bubble and Gala Darling in person, hearing them speak about their blogs was a mystical experience. But more than that it put a human interaction to these lives we see online. Famous bloggers are regular people and hearing their stories laid claim to that.
5. In a Room of Bloggers everyone has something to offer
The conference was sold out and with good reason. Everyone there is committed to blogging their passion and while we all may not reach “star” status, we all have something amazing and valid to contribute to the space. Just being around that energy solidified that truth for me.
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I went to the one in February, loved it. Great experience. But you did get one thing wrong, you totally don’t need a boyfriend to take your pics! Just a tripod and a remote control
Believe me, my husband isn’t the best photographer. My best shots were taken by me!
LOL! I was being sarcastic, but it did seem that many of the bloggers have people take their photos
I so wish I could be there. Maybe next year though.
Love from Toronto, Canada
omg! i sat right next to you and i didn’t even recognize you. i follow your blog regularly since i love ur blog. can’t believe i missed the opportunity to say hello. anyway, guess its never too late…hi! (btw, i was the one who picked up your hat when it fell down)
xo jenna pearle (passionistaplace.blogspot.com)
That’s funny! Did my hat fall off the chair and you picked it up??? I think I remember. I hope you enjoyed the conference though!
Thanks for stopping by! So awesome that you got to go to the IFB Conference, must have been great! I must say, you have one of the best blog design I’ve seen lately!
Looking forward to your future posts,
xx,
I
I’m so jealous you got to go!!! I love this post though and that it’s something fresh about the IFB conference. It definitely gives me something to look forward to next year.
Tashina, it was really amazing and I’m certain that the one next year (Feb 2011) will be even better!
Oh, wow! This conference sounds amazing! I’m adding it to my ‘Blogging Conventions I Must Attend’ (along with attend the annual Blog Expo in Las Vegas!) list!
Corrine, BlogWorld is on my list as well!!
How lucky you got to go to the IFB event. I read this on Vahni’s blog and decided to visit!
Thanks for stopping by!
yo, I totally get you on #3. It would be realllllly convenient. When guys come up to me at bars, I’m for sure going to start screening them by their interest in photography. I’ll let you know how it works out for me
Lol Ashley! It’s a prerequisite to date me. Must love photography
Thanks for the comment!
How did I miss you there!? Totally bummed, I am such a fan of your blog!
I think it was hard to recognize people in person. I was looking for a few bloggers and couldn’t really spot them. Are you still in the States?
I left right after the conference! Boo!
This is one of the best summaries I’ve read of IFBcon. I wish I had been there, but it’s great reading what others have to say about the event. Love your thoughts on the camera accessories especially! LOL
Lol, thanks. A boyfriend isn’t necessary but it sure is desired
Sounds like it was incredible! I might just have to put this on my calendar for next year. And way to meet Gala! Isn’t she a sweetheart?