Fashion Simpsons
Anna Wintour and Diane Pernet
Where is fashion going? The exclusive point of view of Diane Pernet on the relationship between the Fashion System and Fashion Bloggers.
Humor Chic met the eclectic and charismatic Diane Pernet on the eve of "ASVOFF ASHADED VIEW ON FASHION FILM", the Interational Cinema and Fashion Festival which from July 22nd to 24th will be staged in Milan. The project is created and curated by the icon and founder herself, Diane Pernet, together with the brilliant journalist and talent scout Stefania Seoni and the talented journalist and curator Federico Poletti.
Stylist, designer, fashion journalist, blogger, curator and promoter of important artistic and cultural events, as well as being a pioneer in the promotion of the fashion-film partnership, Diane Pernet is certainly a great visionary with a fine mind. She is also the founder of ASVOFF, a competition event for fashion short films.
To try and tell the story of Diane's life is a little like taking a journey into a modern "Divine Comedy". However there is one thing which we believe truly sets this woman apart making here unique, and that is her amazing mix of sensuality and humanity, so rare and perfect.
With Diane Pernet begins Humor Chic's special report on "Fashion Bloggers" and the latest dynamics which are taking fashion by storm and maybe even redesigning it.
Humor Chic - There are tons of teenagers and youngsters who spend their time posing in front of a camera wearing outfits of their own creation to share on their website/ blog. They call themselves Fashion Blogger. Can you tell us what you think about Fashion Bloggers?
Diane Pernet - I guess I have not been paying that much attention to them but they can be amusing, I think. I am familiar, of course, with Tavi. I love the way she puts herself together.
Humor Chic - Some Brands involve the Fashion Bloggers in co-branding collaborations of some capsule collection, or more frequently the Brands fill them with individual attentions (fashion houses gifts) which so many Fashion Bloggers can't wait to post on their blog as real trophies. What does this mean?
Diane Pernet - First, I might add that journalists at major publications, except WWDand IHT, have been accepting gifts forever. I think if they really like and believe in the product, why not . If it is posted as some sort of trophy then it feels a little pathetic to me.
Humor Chic - Fashion journalists were the first to encourage and pay tribute to Fashion Bloggers, and many newspapers and media were involved. But after the initial stage of interest, many journalists are now looking at them with reluctance and suspicion. Why?
Diane Pernet - I think they were always looking at them with reluctance and suspicion. Remember the Stephen Jones Bow on Tavi incident with the Grazia editor seated behind her? That was years ago so I don’t feel the printed press ever embraced bloggers. I think brands are finding it effective to communicate with bloggers. If it was not working for them I doubt that they would do it.
Humor Chic - During the last catwalk shows in March, Suzy Menkes wrote that wherever she looked, she could see wasps' nests of Fashion Bloggers, an invasion! Is it good or ... bad? And why in your opinion?
Diane Pernet - Yes, they are increasing in numbers but the way I look at it is if they love fashion so much, that is a good thing. They are having fun with it, it is like The Blogger Paparazzi.
Humor Chic - A few Fashion Bloggers were sitting in the front row. In Milan, some of them where sitting next to the most influential Fashion Journalists in the world. This has bothered many italian fashion journalists. What was that? A provocation? A marketing action or... just a PR mistake?
Diane Pernet - I’d say a marketing action which was to provoke as well it did. I heard how it was quite icy between the bloggers and the established press. Sometimes I wonder how the seating arrangements are made but, again, I think it must be working for the brands or they would not keep enlisting their support.
Humor Chic - In your opinion, are the Designers doing well by giving so much importance to the Fashion Bloggers?
Diane Pernet - I think many of the bloggers are the consumers of these designers so how is that a disservice to them? Maybe it is good, it shakes up the established fashion press a bit because it decreases their power. Honestly I feel there is room for both respected journalists and fashion loving bloggers. They both have a different perception of the fashion.
Humor Chic - Some very seasoned fashion editors have been influenced by the wave of these young Fashion Bloggers, and some of them have started a Blog, posting a photo of their look every day, in many cases posing like a teenage girl, some enriching it with a post, trying to make a point about Fashion. Do you think that it's ridiculous?...
Diane Pernet - Yes, I think it is ridiculous.
Humor Chic - Don't you think that all this could become a big boomerang that turns back to the detriment of the real Fashion System in the long run?
Diane Pernet - No, the bloggers are the consumers, I think it is interesting that they have a voice. I do not read that many so I am far from an authority on this as I spend my time on my own content.
Humor Chic - How do you see the future of Fashion Bloggers?
Diane Pernet - Who knows, could loose its luster but for now, as long as it appears to be working for the brands I suppose it will continue. It will last as long as it will last. Nothing lasts forever.
Humor Chic - And the future of the Fashion System?
Diane Pernet - I think the system is in perpetual change, the biggest impact over the last years is the internet between live streaming shows , NOW Fashion, instant stills , all of this would have been unheard of a few years before, now it is the norm. E commerce vs brick and mortar stores, huge change in the way of doing commerce. The rise of fashion films makes me really happy as that is something that I strongly believe in. Hopefully there will be more and more interesting collaborations.
