Updates Made Fashionable

A lot can happen in the matter of just a few weeks, so I’ve decided to bring you up to speed. Being in the loop is not only informational, but fashionable as well. As the Crocs shoe gets an update from unfashionably bulky, hole laden clog to streamlined and chic peep toe flat, the online marketing world is abuzz with updates regarding MySpace and Facial Recognition Software.

MySpace



http://www.crocs.com/spring-collection/spring-collection,default,sc.html



Let’s face it, Crocs, although very comfortable, are arguably one of the worst fashion trends to ever set foot on this planet. Adorable on babies, the adult versions of this shoe are unfashionable and worst of all, unflattering.  MySpace, which I previously compared to the “mom jean”, also suffered from the unfashionable curse. This week, however, MySpace managed to turn their luck around as they ranked a fashionable #38 in the United States in terms of traffic.  By streaming live music from SXSW music festival, MySpace managed to reach its 63 million visitors and capitalized on their musical strengths by connecting users directly to the festival.

If Crocs can morph into a chic and comfortable spring fashion staple, I am quite convinced that MySpace can make a comeback by capitalizing on its strengths and improving on their weaknesses just as Crocs did. Crocs took an ugly, super comfortable shoe and transformed it into a chic, yet still super comfortable shoe. Hopefully MySpace can take their site and transform it from unfashionable and forgotten, to fashionably popular.

Facial Recognition Search

Last week I wrote about Google’s facial recognition software patent and the controversy that surrounds it. Now, Facebook, the dominant force of the social network, has been granted a new search patent that similarly exposes our online lives.  The patent is called “Visual tags for search results generated from social network information”. As the name implies, the patent allows search results to be prioritized based on your overall social network’s preferences.

This patent could be huge for Facebook by filtering search results based on what the majority of your social network prefers and can ultimately make searching online less overwhelming.  Let’s say I am searching for a new dress, my search will produce a list of results that includes recommended items and where I can purchase them. This will make searching much easier for me; however, it will make it harder to search for less popular items. One thing’s for sure, anything that makes shopping easier for me is a fashion necessity.

Sources:

http://www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/news/spring-style-trendwatch-crocs-go-couture-2011213

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2034298/myspace-player-woos-gen-sxsw-music-fest

http://www.bnet.com/blog/technology-business/new-facebook-patent-the-huge-implications-of-curated-search-update/9274

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,890,501.PN.&OS=PN/7,890,501&RS=PN/7,890,501

Incognito Is The New Black

Ever take an awful picture on a night out only to be tagged in it the next day? In the picture your mascara is running, your eyeliner is smudged, your hair is a mess and there’s a beer stain on your dry-clean-only dress. Most of us have been victims of bad photo tagging. When this has happened to me in the past, I merely cringe at the sight of the photo and untag myself; however, thanks to facial recognition, these awful photos may be seen one day by those I never suspected and may ultimately reveal my identity.

Online facial recognition is the latest trend in technology used to distinguish features on a person’s face. Once a photograph has been taken, the technology searches the online world for possible identities. Although it is not completely reliable, the fact that someone can snap a photo of you and find you online thanks to facial recognition technology remains to be an issue of privacy invasion. Recently, Google published a patent in Europe to give visual search results through facial recognition and social networking. Currently, applications such as Google Goggles for mobile phones allow people to snap photos of anything and then run a search for the item through the application. This is an extremely convenient tool for the curious.

This online facial recognition technology symbolizes a double edged sword for many people. On one edge, the technology is amazing and can help marketers to build stronger connections with consumers. On the other edge, the technology may facilitate stalking and lead to a greater sense of overall fear within the general public.

This technology reminds me of this season’s maxi skirt. I am hesitant to embrace this trend; however, I respect those who can pull it off. Although I may never use this online facial recognition technology myself, I respect those who will use it responsibly.

My belief is that people, like fashion, will learn to adapt to this technology. There is no way to completely disconnect ourselves from the online world, but, for now we can use fashion to shield ourselves. Thank goodness for this season’s fedoras and oversized sunglasses!  Add a printed scarf and you’ve got yourself a look that’s both chic and incognito.

Sources:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-erica-print-scarf/3144423?origin=category&resultback=875

http://www.truth-it.net/biometric_facial.html

http://blogs.computerworld.com/17871/google_face_search_to_use_social_network_photos

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Street-Chic/New-York-Groove/(imageIndex)/15/(play)/false

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-sunglasses?brand=141&origin=accordion

Can MySpace be Tailored Trendy?

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Trend-Reports/Top-10-The-Spring-2011-Trend-Report

In fashion, everything old is new again. Take the bell bottom pant, for instance, spring 2011 runways saw the reemergence of this and many other groovy 1970’s inspired fashion trends. In a sea of impossibly tight skinny jeans, bell bottoms and trousers now offer a fresh step in a new direction.  My question is this: Can MySpace make a comeback akin to the bell bottom pant, or is it destined to be labeled as the “mom jean”?

The downfall of MySpace began in 2008 when Facebook became the social media network of choice.  At this point, Facebook became the ultra-chic skinny jean to be either dressed up and worn with incredibly luxurious Christian Louboutin peep-toe pumps, or made casually trendy with Tory Burch flats. Unfortunately, MySpace morphed into the “mom jean” at the same time that Facebook became fashionable.   Facebook, like the skinny jean, became the latest and greatest trend in social networking. Yet unlike most trends, this Facebook phase did not pass.

Currently, MySpace faces a decrease in visitors and traffic to its site and Facebook continues to be the chic way to network. How did MySpace get to the point where many cringe at the thought of using this as their main networking site, just as they cringe at the thought of ever wearing ”mom jeans”? Facebook went out of its way to encourage growth, welcoming parents and grandparents, while MySpace settled with high school students making up their majority. Today, Facebook flourishes as a place for business networking and socializing with both long lost friends and the best of friends. MySpace, on the other hand struggles to find a balance between attracting users and providing a music and artist friendly atmosphere. 

News Corp. has recently reported that they have begun the process of selling MySpace. With reportedly 20 interested buyers, many hope that the ultimate buyer will find a way to increase MySpace’s popularity. Although it will not be easy, I believe that bringing back the MySpace trend is possible if they join forces with another social media network and focus on the positive aspects of their network. For instance, MySpace has always been considered the network of choice for entertainers because of the ability to stream music and incorporate individualistic aspects on each page. With Facebook, almost every page has the same generic layout which does not showcase an entertainer’s creativity.

In November, Facebook and MySpace announced that they would join forces to link the two services by providing entertainment updates on MySpace based on Facebook preferences. This partnership could be a vital step in the right direction allowing both networks to benefit from one another just as a fashion designer benefits from a celebrity wearing their dress on the red carpet. This partnership would also allow for MySpace to zone in and focus on what they do best by highlighting their ability to provide entertainment.

In social media networking, can something old become new and hip again?  Let’s hope for MySpace’s sake that they can be tailored to transition from the uncool “mom jean” to the super trendy bell bottom pant. Maybe one day soon MySpace will hold their head up high and walk the runway alongside other social media networks as a supermodel. One thing’s for sure, anything is possible with a great tailor and a positive attitude which means that I will hold on to my old MySpace page with the hope that one day it comes back into fashion.   

 Sources:                                                                                           http://www.2010.newsweek.com/top-10/heated-rivalries/facebook-vs-myspace.html

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13526_3-10263933-27.html

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380919,00.asp

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Trend-Reports/Top-10-The-Spring-2011-Trend-Report