Fashionably Thrifty

I’ll admit to narrow mindedly walking right past the sale rack when shopping to avoid being overwhelmed by the clutter of last season trends and unorganized sizing. Don’t get me wrong, I love a great deal as much as the next person; however, the thought of sifting through countless racks of clothing to find a buried piece of fashion treasure is not appealing to me. Although many fashionistas find bargain hunting rewarding and exhilarating, for the rest of us, websites such as Groupon and Gilt Groupe offer us discounts minus clutter.   

Gilt Groupe, an exclusive website designed with the fashion addict in mind, offers up to 60% off of retail prices.  Once you have been invited into the world of Gilt’s online discounted shopping, you are sent daily email alerts to their private sales thereby keeping you in touch with the website and feeding your fashion addiction. Other similar websites include Rue La La and Editor’s Closet, all are invite only and all are frequented by this fashion addict on a daily basis (I know, I’m obsessed with shopping!).

Groupon, although not a fashion based discount website, offers a variety of local deals on different products and services. Sites such as Groupon are structured in a way that a certain number of people must first purchase the deal in order to make the deal possible and worthwhile. The runway is set for social networking to play an integral role in the success of each deal as Groupon followers tweet and post links to featured deals in order for the deal to gain purchasers and popularity.

Consumers become marketers as sites like Groupon gain popularity and they are enticed to promote appealing deals with the promise that they will save money in the process. Today, Groupon boasts 70 million users and reaches over 500 markets proving that the company has endless resources and a plethora of consumers to use as social network marketers. In fact, banks are valuing the online-coupon company at as much as $25 billion! Although other companies may imitate their simple business plan, the fact of the matter is that Groupon will likely buy the smaller imitators out, thereby expanding their base further and achieving more success.

A month ago I had no idea Groupon existed, today, as posted deals flood my Facebook news feed, I frequent this site on a daily basis. Being thrifty is fashion forward and saving anywhere from 50% to 90% on products and services allows me to set more money aside for my shoe addiction. Any site that helps me save is trendy and Groupon is currently the trendiest.

Sources:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-17/groupon-is-said-to-discuss-ipo-valuation-of-up-to-25-billion.html

http://www.groupon.com/about

http://www.gilt.com/sale/women

http://e-marketingforsensiblefolk.blogspot.com/

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

Fashionably Social

I don't know about you, but when I log onto Facebook and see Nordstrom's post about the latest fashion trend I feel a surge of excitement. Nordstrom’s genius tips on how to wear these trends have me searching the pages of their online website for the latest pumps and a handbag to match. I guess you could call me a devoted customer (or a shopaholic), but you can also note that their social media marketing has been effective in my case.

  Nordstrom is not the only company to jump on the social media bandwagon. Almost every major company has established a Facebook page. The goal is to create a large following base that will “like” you and keep up with the latest promotions thereby generating a large customer base. Although social media networks allow people to connect to brands and retailers with ease, simply “liking” a company does not necessarily mean that this networking has been effective. What good is a “like” without a purchase, or at the very least a store visit?  

The effectiveness of social media marketing depends on the ability to keep the customers’ attention. While some people still prefer traditional methods of interaction with brands, social media networking can help to get more people into a store or onto a website.  It’s all about engaging the customer and making them feel special. Take Nordstrom for example, who posted the following on Facebook a few weeks back:

 NYFW is winding down which means spring trends are heating up. What are you most excited to wear this spring?

This post got 55 “likes” and 35 comments. While the effectiveness of the “likes” has yet to be determined, the comments prove that followers felt engaged enough to post their responses on Nordstrom’s page. These comments created a connection between the followers and Nordstrom that would not have been possible without social media. Let’s face it, social media marketing is here to stay and we as followers can either embrace it or shun it.

 So, what spring trends am I most excited to wear? Killer wedges, white denim, and romantic blouses.

Sources:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/Nordstrom

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=143921&nid=123234

http://www.businessinsider.com/small-business-news-new-social-media-rules-2011-2