Evolving Influence
[ 22 February 2010 ]
Last Monday afternoon, I made my way to the Helen Mills Theatre Theater for the Independent Fashion Bloggers’ Evolving Influence conference. I’d been asked to speak on a panel called The Business Of Blogging, & I was super-psyched.
I was even more excited when I saw this amazing poster outside! I now have a smaller version of it on a wall in my office!
The conference was fantastic. Huge kudos to everyone involved in organising it. Jennine, Jordana, Yuli, Wendy & Julia did an incredible job. On behalf of everyone who attended, I’d like to say an ENORMOUS thank you for investing so much time & energy! It totally paid off.
I was also extremely blessed to be approached by ModCloth who asked if they could dress me for the panel! How can a girl say no to that?! Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to plug them while I was there, but now you know! Plug plug plug!
I wore…
Tarina Tarantino heart necklace (repping RADICAL SELF LOVE hard!)
Shine After Shine dress from ModCloth (new favourite, mos’ def’)
Black cashmere cardigan from Urban Outfitters
Faux fur vintage coat
Black back-seamed stockings (which ripped, as you can see! First time I wore them! WORST!)
Black knee socks with white bows on the back (Leg Avenue)
Skull ring, crystal rabbit ring, crystal two-finger ring
BCBG Mendel booties
Speaking with me on the subject of The Business Of Blogging were Lauren Dimet Waters, Dina Fierro, Aubree Nichols & Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, & it was moderated by Yuli (I love her, the woman is a machine, she can get ANYTHING done). The auditorium holds 200 people & it was totally packed.
People say, “Do what you love.” Do you love blogging so much that you’re ready to go from hobby to career? In this panel — brought to you by Style Coalition — you’ll get expert advice on the business of blogging from those who’ve made careers in the blogosphere, as well as those who work with bloggers on a daily basis.
We were talking mostly about how to make $$$ from blogging, everyone’s favourite topic! We also discussed working with PR companies, editorial policies & what makes a blog attractive to advertisers. The people in the audience seemed to really enjoy it & hopefully we provided everyone with a lot of useful information!
The panel lasted an hour but I had so much more to say! Damn, gimme that MIC! The panel was live on Ustream & also filmed by Bobbin Talk! See below! (Smooch!)
I stayed for an hour & a half afterward, talking to people, giving hugs & advice, shaking hands & taking photographs. It was the best feeling! I love all my readers so much & it’s so much FUN to meet the people who are usually on the other side of the screen! Every time I do this, I am completely delighted by how rad everyone is. Seriously wonderful.
Thanks to everyone who came out for the event — it meant a lot to all of us!
Oh, bonus! We got written up in Teen Vogue!
Love & love & love,
Tags: gala,
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Sounds like an amazing coming together of some amazingly talented and insightful ladies! Seeing stories like these makes me want to make a trip to one of these conferences soon… I’m always jealous of those who get to meet each other face to face!
Mallory, yes I would totally encourage you to come to the next one! Blogging is actually a really solitary pursuit when you think about it. This winter I have hardly seen anyone, just stay inside with my computer all day… It’s fantastic to meet up & talk to people who understand what we do! Hope to see you at the next one… xo!
For some reason you look so different from usual in these photos – I really dig the current state of your hair! Looks like it was a blast, it’s always fun to mix business & play.
oh this looks wonderful, i wish there were blogging conferences in the uk!
Ugh so sorry I missed this! I could not get out of work last week. Ironically, I have a vacation day today & I’m using it for breakfast at Two Little Red Hens & Tim Burton at MoMA! I will be at the next one no matter what!
Congratulations!
You looked gorgeous and it sounds like an interesting panel. I’m definitely going to finish watching that clip/read the Teen Vogue article after class!
Everything about this sounds absolutely amazing, I’d love to attend an event similar to this at some point, they always sound so inspiring!
aww I had planned to go but ended up missing it. :[
it looks like it was great though!
Congrats.. I will definitely be at the next one!!
Wow that looked amazing. It must have been wonderful to be able to meet all those bloggers face to face.
I was planning to go but cocked up my flight back from London so I came back too late. Next time I hope!
You are amazing. Side note: Cheers for the faux fur!!
I was so upset that Mardi Gras (and the beau’s visit) conflicted with the IFB conference. So upset. BUT, you’ve totally made my day— I knew that all the videos were live streaming, but haven’t yet found them after the fact…. so you’ve brightened my morning with the video! Merci, bijoux.
I had the pleasure to attend the conference and sit in the front row next to Bobbin Talk. First of all, I just wanted to let you how inspiring you are. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and ideas. The conference was great. Second, I loved your outfit which I posted on my blog as well. Love it, love it! Hopefully next time I’ll get a chance to meet you!
oh how neat! congratulations – you looked great. i love that dress.
and tights ALWAYS rip on the first wear when you need them to look good. i put a pair of really cute patterend black ones on for an interview and getting out of my car they snagged on an edge of my door – awful!
Damn, I wish all you girls had been there! Next time I will write much more about it in advance to try & entice you along!
Stephanie — Ha! My pleasure!
Tamara — Thank you! You’re so welcome. I had way more to say, the hour just flew past! Please come & say hello next time! xo
I wasn’t there, however I did watch it (I skipped class) and I found you to be the most inspirational speaker at the IBF conference!
That sounds like a blast, Gala! =) Congrats on getting chosen!
I love your outfit…oh, and have I mentioned how much I love your blonde hair? Now I have. It’s gorgeous!
Well done! And you’re looking beautiful too Gala, your hair is just wow. :)
I wish I could have been there! I didn’t know there was video though, so I’m psyched to watch it – thanks for putting it up :)
If you don’t mind my asking, Gala, what do you use on your hair? I have super fine hair and I’m trying to find something to give it some volume (big hair FTW), but I’m also worried about damaging it since it’s colored and all. Heard good stuff about OSIS Dust It, but it can’t ever hurt to get more rec’s!
Yay! You were great (and looked great) & so were all the other panelists. IFB did a fab job organizing and the blogging community is really somethin.
Sweety P — Thanks so much! That means a lot to me, I really appreciate it! xoxox
Katie & Bev — I have a hair change coming soon! Hope you like the new incarnation just as much ;D
Michelle — I actually don’t use anything in my hair. It’s really damaged & so it pretty much stays in place. I occasionally use Warren Tricomi Volumising Spray, which I think is great when I want a little extra boost, but most of the time, & in these photos (I think?), I just backcomb it, pin up the back & set it with hairspray. Hope this helps!
Jazzi — I love you, please come back soon.
Hey just thought I’d say you haven’t changed the website’s name in your “advertise” section. That could potentially be a bit confusing to sponsors.
BTW that convention looks amazing.
A real informative blog like this is a very cool helping source for a needy information seeker like me! Thanks a lot..
Awww, I really wish I could have gone to this! That sounds absolutely amazing and so helpful!!!
A friend of mine told me once to put on backseam stockings while wearing gloves because they rip easily. It does help.
You look really amazing in the pics and the conference sounds like it was SO MUCH FUN! xD
Haha
Thanks! I’ll check into that spray & see if it helps me out. Looking forward to seeing your new hair – I’m actually doing mine today, I think I’m going to try to get some combination of platinum and turquoise.
michelle, if ur talking about schwarzkopf’s dust it in the red plastic shaker then i highly recomend it, im sooooo addicted to it its really matte and gives great hold for just a powder, if u do get it i reccomend also getting a really good detox shampoo as well as it stays in ur hair well
your coat and eye make up is absolutely beautiful!How did you do your make up? xx
Ohhh What else did you want too say.. BTW, you looked great.
Your’re such an inspiration. period.
Congratulations on getting written up for teen vogue!
I’m so happy that you came out and talked to us! It was really great to meet you and i’m really looking forward for the video footage to come out so I can see the panel… from what bits I saw of you, i just loved it…especially that part when you were talking about how you worked so hard getting your start.
;)
You were definitely best dressed!! I only saw one panel via the live stream, but was disappointed in what people wore :( I need to see more of your dress tho…it just peeks out :) Look forward to your next hair incarnation too!
Not completely related to this post, but it has to be said:
You look gorgeous and I LOVE this hair on you! Both the style as the colour: it is just so pretty!
I’m so impressed with your hair in these shots! Look forward to seeing what you’re doing with it next :)
Is there a part 2 to this video?
jennine — Thanks so much for having me, as you can tell I really really really enjoyed myself!
trashtastika — I didn’t see any other panels, too busy gabbing to people upstairs, but the people up there were so well-dressed! I think Jennine & some others are going to post about the conference soon, & when they do you’ll surely see how well-dressed most of the attendees were!
Drummbellina — I think there probably is but it hasn’t been posted yet as far as I know. Fingers crossed that it will be! We spoke for an hour so there should be much more footage!
So exciting! You look absolutely lovely too!
Will have to pick up the Teen Vogue.
xo
this is awesome! congrats i bought your podcast about making money from blogging. i learned a lot and thankyou so much for sharing your knowledge :) you rock girlfriend!
Hi Gala,
It was so nice to finally meet you! Thanks for wearing our dress and for the plug! :)
Oh I wish I could have been there! I know Jennine worked like crazy to pull the whole thing together and the coverage it got (WWD and Teen Vogue) is just fantastic. Bloggers truly do have an evolving influence, and I think you inspire a lot of people to make that influence even greater.
You also looked absolutely gorgeous! That dress is too cute.
Flawless.Your boyfriend is one lucky guy
It looked absolutely amazing – oh how I wish I could have been in NYC for it!! :(
finally got round to watching this video, where is part twooooo?! ps you are totally the most super stylish…