My blog is around sixteen months old at this point and pretty much still in it’s infant stages of development – I’m not sure where it will take me from one week to the next, but with each month that goes by, I feel as though I learn something new about the blogging industry. An industry I’ve accidentally found myself a part of due to my combined love of fashion and writing. For the most part, I feel as though I observe a community that are genuinely supportive and accommodating to other creatives – people who praise the success of others and are extremely welcoming. However, I do think (like most industries), we have a long way to travel in terms of standing out and celebrating the opportunities we have to be unique…
I guess I just wanted to curate my thoughts and leave them here – perhaps by this time next year we will be faced with a totally different set of issues, but I feel as though it’s important for me to use my platform to represent my truest self. For me personally, it seems pointless to have a constant stream of thoughts and ideas and unless I’m willing to share them with the world – that’s why I connect with blogging so much. I have the means of connecting others through my outfits and general musings, but also to to make a difference whenever I can. Even if that difference feels small and insignificant – these are often the most important steps we can take…
Freelancers need to be taken more seriously in general – I’m sure every freelancer in the world would agree with me on this one. Wouldn’t it be nice if we lived in a world where people still didn’t expect us to work for free? Wouldn’t it be nice if our work was always credited accordingly? These are both things I feel strongly about – I’ve featured on a few high profile magazine websites this year, and although I was unashamedly giddy about it each time, I was only credited back to my website the once. It made me wonder why there are so many rules and regulations for bloggers when huge magazines can just pass them off as inspirational images to the masses. Being on the other side of consumerism definitely makes you appreciate how much time and effort goes into photography and written content – to not be credited is endlessly disappointing.
The second part of my job that I find really frustrating sometimes is constantly having to explain to people that it’s my full time job and I physically can’t afford to create content without sending an invoice afterwards. I have even experienced a few really patronising and demeaning emails from brands once I have kindly outlined to them my media fees, and the reasons I’d be out of pocket if I was to create posts for free. That’s not to say that I don’t work for free either – a few jobs out of a dozen pieces of content I put together will be paid. I cherry pick the ones that feel organic and this allows me to live in my flat each month, pay my photography bills, and have some left over to play with/save. I’m incredibly grateful to the brands that recognise the effort that goes into keeping an online world constantly afloat with new outfits and ideas, but I still feel that there are a lot that need to catch up!
The same goes with people outside of the fashion industry too – I feel that fashion in general isn’t taken seriously as a career, when in fact, some of the most intelligent and influential minds have all resided in fashion. Designers, editors, writers etc – all these roles involve a certain amount of intelligence and craftsmanship to succeed in.
Both diversity and creativity need to be championed way more – I see a lot of the same types of images on my feed, and half the time, this is because there’s a pressure to fit in with a certain look, a certain style, and even a specific tone of voice. Brands have a lot to do with this as often certain campaign briefs can feel suffocating and you find yourself torn between your integrity and needing to make rent. It’s so refreshing when brands really do their research and get what you’re about – it allows you more freedom to put your stamp on a project and really feel proud of the collaboration. However, I still feel like there’s such a long way to go – I’ve often found myself on jobs or at events where I feel like everyone pretty much looks the same. Slim, white, bright teeth, long straight hair and perfectly tanned skin – these are all social beauty constructs that we need to work harder to break away from. I really really struggled in the beginning with having my picture taken because I felt like I didn’t fit in with the current blogging standards of ‘model meets blogger’, but now I try and cast this aside and concentrate on the bigger picture. I’m doing this because I enjoy the creative process – not because I need validation about the way I look. However, I’m certainly not naive in acknowledging that I happen to be in a privileged position, and there are still lots of other budding bloggers who aren’t getting the same opportunities or chances in their chosen industries – women of all shapes and sizes, women of colour, women who don’t necessarily fit a brands brief but should.
You really have to develop a thick skin when presenting yourself online and it’s a shame that it has become that way – we need to remember how brave it is to pen your thoughts down for thousands to read, how scary it is to not be comfortable in your own skin at times but to keep sharing your outfits regardless…
The current climate feels intimidating – I feel like we are living in quite an important but scary time politically. There’s a lot of change that needs to happen, a lot of social constructs that need resetting, and a hell of a lot of minds that need opening. We can only hope that our children and beyond will experience much less abuse and much more understanding from the world. I feel like this year has been the year for dragging people down online, endless witch hunts, and complete unobtainable standards. It seems that there’s a new online culture that love to tarnish successful people and see them fall. More and more people are becoming afraid to show their personalities online for fear of something being twisted and turned into something they never intended. It’s a sad way to live and I’ve always prided myself on trying to be as none judgemental as possible – people swear, people have pasts, people make mistakes. It’s truly how you you grow and move on from them that determines the kind of person you are. I’ve had shitty online comments written about me before and at times it’s hard not to retaliate – especially when you can see how ridiculous and untrue they are. There’s a certain power in having confidence in the person you are and not letting this kind of negative energy consume you. I recently retweeted a quote on Twitter that had something to do with not always having to prove that you are right in life – that you should always choose happiness. It really resonated with me, and has become my new approach to life…
When I feel like the internet is all getting too much and my Twitter feed is too angry – I have a day or so without it. Sometimes the last thing we all need is to scroll through a constant stream of posts about how bad the world is becoming. It’s true that your online space can be as big or as small as you want it to be. I have hope that we will see dramatic changes in all industries over the next ten years – It feels like everything is finally starting to shift, which is both scary and endlessly exciting…
Alice x
Photography by Adriana
Cardigan – Topshop | Trousers – Reiko | Coat – H&M| Boots – Vintage Russell And Bromley (similar here) | Bag – Sezane | Beret – Topshop (similar here) | Necklace – Mikaela Lyons
SHOP THE LOOK
Hello Alice.
My name is Hope, and for 3 months I’ve been following your blog and instagram.
Thank you for such a frank post. I think you are right that now fewer people express their point of view, even through clothes. As if in the world there is less and less what is bright and kind, and all people tend to throw their negative on unfamiliar people. Do not pay attention to them. I think this is their way to cope with the current situation in the world.
I noticed that you began to smile less often in photographs, and it makes me sad. I really like to watch your style, you inspire to dress stylishly and engage yourself confidently, even on such gray days. And your videos are loaded with a positive. Thank you for that!:)
Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment! Totally agree with you 🙂
I do think I smile on quite a lot of images but I think you also have to remember that I only shoot around once a week – sometimes that will be a smiley day, and other times I don’t feel as into it. I’m generally a happy/positive person, but not everyone loves to smile for every single image. Hope that makes some kind of sense and thanks again for reading! xx
I have been silently reading your blog for a while now. I started reading it before blogging became your full-time job and I have to say I noticed that your content has become more professional but in a way that is absolutely positive. You come across as a modest, honest and authentic personality and I find your content (both on Instagram and on your blog) very refreshing because I am tired of seeing the same style over and over again. Each of your outfits seems to have its unique trademark.
Aww thank you! It’s tough finding the balance sometimes but comments like this make it all worth while – I’ve always promised myself to keep discussing the topics that mean something to me (alongside fashion), so it’s nice to know that it’s noticed 🙂 xx
Such a great post ??
I could not have loved this post more Alice – you put a lot of things, that I feel like I’m so unable to articulate, into words perfectly.
Blogging can be so amazing, but it’s something I wish was taken more seriously and where a more diverse set of people were chosen by brands and things rather than the same regurgitated groups all the time.
Like you said, this time next year could be completely different – I hope so, but who knows! xxx
Thanks Hol! Yeah I definitely understand what you mean – I think everything is starting to open up a lot more. I find it difficult sometimes because I’m just not an events type of person and sometimes to succeed you have to network and make connections with people – it’s all part of the job I guess. I just go to the ones that I’m excited for and try not to feel bad about the ones I can’t make because they are all in bloody London haha. I think more and more things are happening in Manchester which is very exciting! xxx
Perfect sweater and coat 😉
This has been an amazing and honest post and I appreciate the things you mentioned here! *Applause* You got it girl. Also, love your outfit!
Thanks lovely! xx
Thanks once again for such an honest and inspiring post, Alice. I can’t believe you are having to deal with your work not being recognized by brands (considering your massive following and reach), what can we the tiny blogs expect from the industry? :O
Anyways, I loved your blog and style since the moment I came across it, not only are you the most gorgeous gal in Manchester, but you are really honest, humble and always trying to improve your skills and help others with your voice. Thank you for being such a great inspiration Xx
Saida
Awhh thank you so much sweet girl! This made me smile xx
This post is exactly why you’re my favourite blogger. I’ve been following you for around 4 years now I think back when you just did Insta! 🙂 xx
Goshh! Thank you so much – crazy to think anyone has been following along for that amount of time ha. Glad I haven’t bored you to death just yet 😉 xx
Really nice post, Alice!
I think once a blogger gets big enough to gain an audience/ sponsorship interest, there becomes a hugely interesting three way relationship between content creator, brand/ sponsorship support and reader/consumer. In your writing above you talk about the responsibility of the brand to open up their briefs in order to give the content creator more creative freedom to be different. I think responsibility also sits with the creator to pursue that diversity in creative output and (what I think is spoken about least in the community) is that the consumer has a responsibility to seek out diverse content.
There is always diverse creators out there ready to be supported, and clicks/ views/ interactions give them power to grow.
Heyy, thanks for reading! And yep, I totally agree with the points you made! My issue is when brands you admire have such restricting briefs and go on to give that same brief to seemingly the same types of people time and time again. These huge brands have way more power so it would be nice to see more diversity and more creativity in general. I’m lucky enough now to be in a position to just say yes to the jobs that feel organic and exciting, but there was definitely a pressure to say yes to everything in the beginning. On the flip side, I see a lot of people complain about #ADs too! I still don’t think blogging is fully accepted as a full time source of employment and I hope that changes x
Hi Alice, i’ve been following you on instagram for a few months now and totally appreciate your aesthetic and content on here and instagram.
It’s laughable that bloggers aren’t taken more seriously, i think bloggers like your self are far more relevant than most magazines.
But i could not agree more on your call for more diversity! I would love to start a blog and do some vlogging but the fear is real! I’m a size 12/14, cropped purple haired brummie, there’s no one like me out there, while that may be a positive, i also fear the ridicule. It’s a big thing to put your self out there and make your self vulnerable like that.
Hopefully one day i’ll gain the courage to blog, but you’re definitely an inspriation and thank you for writing posts that aren’t just about clothes or make up, very refreshing!
Kepp up the amazing work!
Jen
X
Ohh thank you so much sweet girl! I think you sound amazing and would definitely recommend starting a blog – it’s scary at first but then it just becomes second nature to share things. Plus, it’s totally up to you how much or how little you share – I definitely get that little bit more confident each month. It’s strangely helped me to accept myself the way I am even though you’d think it would make you more insecure! xx
I love this post and all your posts. I 100% agree with what you’re saying with the role of the blogger and parts of it. I think there is still a stigma with people thinking that blogging is a hobby rather than a career/job.
I write a fashion and lifestyle blog The Cornerstone for Thoughts. Ive always found your blog to inspire my fashion and looks. I love your vintage style and love how you stand out from other fashion bloggers in the industry. Sorry im fan girling now!
Way to make a girl blush ha! Thank you so much – this really means a lot and encourages to me keep going. I definitely agree with you – I don’t think some people realise how much hard work goes on behind the scenes xx
I’m reading this in 2020 and its just so crazy how relevant this post is. It’s almost like it’s getting ridiculously worst. I’m about to a month long social media break. This is an awesome post