A jewelry designer. A DJ. A social media marketer. A men’s skateboard clothing designer. An ad agent. A 17-year old. A closet World of Warcraft nerd. These seven So Cal natives’ day jobs differ, but their blogs are some of a fashionista’s most essential guides to style. All of the women agree: their blogging habits have taken them on unexpected paths. But now that they are major players in the blogging world, the question remains where they will take blogs. 

 The SoCal Fashion/Lifestyle Blogger panel, presented by USC’s Fashion Industry Association, brought these bloggers together Wednesday to discuss all things fashion, the future of blogs, and their favorite spots in L.A.

Although the style of the bloggers differed, most cited were Alexander Wang and Helmut Lang as favorite basics “with a twist,” as Joanne, a jewelry designer for Les Morceaux described it. Natalie of Fashion Intel prefers the Barney’s Men’s department, because, she joked, “I’m not into floral bustiers.” All of the bloggers appeared to be excellent thrifters as well, recommending Palm Springs for the best in thrift store finds.

Jane, the face behind Stop It Right Now, remained quiet for most of the panel, blaming social anxiety. But her outfit spoke volumes. In skinny snakeskin print pants and an oversized red flannel over another large black and camel sweater, her style was a mixture of grunge and menswear. Her ease while walking in huge lace-up platform pumps, closer to the Alexander Queen variety than most people ever see in real life, suggested that this was her everyday look.

When asked about her favorite part of L.A. style, Alicia of Instant Vintage said she loves how lax it is. There are so many different styles, and “people don’t take it as seriously.” Then Natalie jumped in, saying that New York has everyone fooled that they take it seriously, but she still sees girls in Juicy Velour sweatsuits.

“L.A. has a bad rap,” she said, “I don’t know, but this isn’t the cast of The Hills…When people think of L.A., that’s what they think of, and I don’t have capped teeth, and I’m not hanging around date rapists.” Natalie, easily the most engaging of the bloggers, delivered each response like a comedian at a stand-up show.

As blogs become an even greater influence in the fashion world, many wonder where print will go from here. All of the bloggers said they still value magazines; Natalie attributed the moment she felt she’d “made it” to being featured in the March issue of Vogue.

Rachel of That’s Chic described how her posts moved away from magazine trends to her own outfit shots, and now companies are acknowledging that influence by moving into online “niche advertisements” on blogs.

While most believe that print and blogging can and will coexist, there was a general agreement that print writers will have to be held to a higher standard in adapting to the new wave of online journalism.

As for their favorite spots in L.A., these bloggers had a lot to say. All agreed that a must-see is the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City.

Or, if you “wanna get romantic?” as Natalie described it, “Go to Big Sur, light a candle, and just go with it.” Samantha of So Super Sam. a self-described foodie, recommends The Gorbals downtown for a drink and a snack.

After an hour of discussion, it’s clear that these women aren’t just nameless faces behind a screen telling the world that Jeffrey Campbell pumps are so hot right now.

Although the 17 year-old Olivia Lopez, creator of Lust for Life, said there’s a lack of accountability in blogging, others stressed the need for creating a space where fashion and social commentary meet. On Fashion Intel, Natalie encourages the discussion of racism, classism, and sexual harassment in fashion.

But it’s not all so serious. The panel wasn’t a group of businesswomen discussing abstract online marketing schemes; it was seven friends, laughing at one another and planning a Los Angeles food tour, starting at Luscious Dumplings.

Reach Elizabeth here.
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