This past Tuesday I hosted our final Fashion[Unfold] debate of the year.
My topic of choice to close 2011: Fashion Bloggers Represented vs. Agent-Free, a topic I came across in recent weeks.
Fashion Bloggers have been doing so well for themselves (especially Top Tier such as Bryan Boy, Susie Bubble, The Man Repeller…), that agency representation is now in order for most of them.
**Update** As it turns out, things are even sweeter for Bryan Boy, who isn’t represented by the Digital Brands Architects agency as previously posted, but rather renowned CAA.
“I’ve signed a contract with one of the world’s high-profile agencies, CAA. They represent major people like Oprah, Julia Roberts, Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Zac Efron, Blake Lively. They also represent music stars like Christina Aguilera, Mariah, Justin Timberlake, Usher, among many, many, many others.” (Source. Raked.com)
Thanks to Justine Iaboni, December Fashion[Unfold] panelist from WhateverEurotrash, who texted me right after Bryan Boy left a comment on her blog in that regards.
These findings led me to the work of Social Media Agency Digital Brands Architects, which basically focuses on innovative strategy and online talent management, representing top tier bloggers and online content producers/publishers.
Think about it, Bloggers being represented validates their key players status (to a certain extend), within a once impenetrable Fashion industry, and that is quite remarkable and most importantly, encouraging for many aspiring bloggers.
I took it to @FashionUnfold to hear what other Bloggers and Fashion enthusiasts had to say on the question.
Six Fashion Bloggers and Journalists joined me as our December panelists (@Kimleestar @tejahnnBURNETT @MtlInFashion @MontrealDLC @fusionofeffects and @EurotrashGirls), to kick off the discussion and we were quickly joined by over hundred participants live on twitter, for an hour long of Fashion unfolding.
Our heated Twitter discussion prompted the #FashionUnfold hashtag to trend both in Montreal and Canada within that hour (via @TrendsMontreal @TrendsmapCanada).
Panelist @EurotrashGirls and participant @TheCaprissimo even managed to get @BryanBoy on board, granting us an insider look on the Representation of Fashion Bloggers.
For instance, @EurotrashGirls asked him how much autonomy he has since being represented, and to that @BryanBoy answered: “I have free reign. My agent only negotiates my business engagements and manages my schedule otherwise I do everything myself“.
@TheCaprissimo in return, asked him about how he goes about balancing Editorials vs. Business needs now, to which Bryan Boy answered “simple. I *only* blog what I like and love.” Bryan Boy also addressed career advancements and opportunities.
With an impressive Twitter following of over 200K, it was no surprise that Bryan Boy’s tweets caught the attention of many, including Fashion/Couturier/Shoe Designer Ushi Shato, who shared them on his Blog here TheShadesAndScarf.com.
Getting answers from such a direct source was quite the eye-opener and very informative to all of us on Fashion[Unfold], without a doubt, the perfect way to close our 2011 debates series.
Fashion Blogging is fast evolving, and Bloggers like Bryan Boy remind us that not only there are plenty possibilities to seize out there, but most importantly, that we as Fashion Bloggers/Writers/Journalists, must clearly define our ultimate goals and work diligently to achieve them, all while keep up with the crazy pace. Some good food for thoughts.
As for now, I am off to prepare the final Fashion[Unfold] recap, while also reviewing potential topics for our first 2012 fashion[Unfold], set to take place on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. (1pm EST).
Don’t hesitate to submit Fashion Topics you’d like to see unfolded, so if you aren’t on Twitter yet (I don’t believe you!), this is the perfect time to join us @FashionUnfold.
Thank you again, to all our participants who continue to join us every month and even to @DKNY PR Girl, who dropped by for a tweet or two, during our DECEMBER Edition 
Until then ladies and gents.
Xoxo
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