When I started blogging in 2012, Fashion and Style Police was purely a fashion blog, and I was super crazy about fashion. I still am crazy about fashion. It is one of my first loves, but I have other loves as well, and I have found a way to creatively write about them all, which works amazing well.
Back then, fresh from London College of Style, all I was breathing was fashion. And the only blogs I was following then were mainly fashion blogs. I noticed many of these bloggers attended fashion week, so I was determined to attend one of the shows, especially the shows in London. But I never had the chance in the early days because I was a new fashion blogger. Which brand would want to waste an invite on a fashion blogger with no strong following? Well not many, if any at all. And I was not prepared to hang around the fashion show location (like many fashion bloggers do) just to get my photos taken. Not trying to shade those who do, but for me, it was all or nothing. So I got nothing but kept hoping for the day when I would get an invite from one of the fashion designer houses.
I have been blogging for over 3 years when I got my first invitation to New York Fashion Week (NYFW) and London Fashion Week (LFW), and guess what? I turned them both down.
I turned down both invitations because I decided earlier on in my blogging career not to go out-of-pocket for nobody. That means I won’t attend events, including fashion shows just because I am invited. I will need my travel expenses (and accommodation if necessary) sorted at least before I can even consider attending any event.
Many brands/PRs find this difficult to understand and I am not sure why. The same way they won’t got o work for free is the same way I won’t work for free. It is the same way I won’t attend a fashion show and blog about it without my expenses and fees being paid.
Even if I was living in London or in New York, I would still turn the invitation down if my travel expenses were not sorted. I am a blogger not a magazine editor with a salary. I create my income, so every penny counts in my world.
I do hope I can attend one of the big 4 fashion shows – London, Milan, Paris and New York, but I won’t settle. I have gotten to a point in my life where I refuse to act a fool.
What are your thoughts on this?
I completely agree with you on this. I’m not sure why brands and agencies find this concept so hard to grasp, but it’s been one of my biggest frustrations since I started blogging.
It is a major issue in the blogging industry. So frustrating.
Well, I think it is good to go depending on the direction yo want to go with your blog, great to get noticed and network and brands to meet you too. I’ll be going purely for this purpose but I guess everyone has ther onw beliefs, but i suppose if you do not live right where they are happening can become a bit costly.
Lindsey
Yes it can be very costly..
I can both sides – would be an amazing experience to go to such an event and meet people, however if it’s going to cost you then it does seem unfair. Especially going to New York!! xx
Yea exactly.
I will attend events if they are worth my while but I turn down more than I accept as I simply cannot afford to go to all
Yea same here.
I totally get where you’re coming from and think it is purely justified. You’re not just a token blogger, you are someone that works hard for your voice to be heard, and no one should be taking liberties with you. Travel costs should be included. It’s a shame this has been overlooked. Hope you get to go when the time is right.
Yes I hope so too. Thanks Jen.
I get where u are coming from. I get invited to events in London and don’t go partly for that reason. I dont mind reviewing attractions though as long as they are ones I’d go to anyway.
Yea same here.
I completely understand your point of view here. As you say, you are the one creating your income and for you to go out of pocket to attend one of the fashion weeks, and then to give publicity to the event by blogging to your readers is going even further out of pocket Becuase you are you are not being compensated for that either. And yet, the event is getting that free publicity without even sorting your travel expenses much less compensating you for your time.
It is so easy to understand, I wonder why they don’t get it.
I understand your point of view! It will also take time to blog about it which you aren’t being paid for either. Although the nosiness in me would be desperate to go!
Lol..
I’m not far from London so would probably have accepted that but no way could I attend NY fashion week without expenses being covered. I think you were right to decline
Tell me about it, lol.
That’s a fair point to make. It depends on outlook – if you think of it more as hobby than work it works out good as long as getting ticket free x
Yea mine is a business so I see it differently but I get what you mean.
i agree if you cant afford it dont go but most who do go because theyre really interested and want to x
Wrong. I can afford to, I just choose not to.
It makes sense, I guess some people do it for exposure? I’m not sure as I’m not a fashion blogger but I would guess that’s why. Travelling to a different country isn’t cheap though!!
Yea very pricey.
I don’t blame you and understand your point of view. But don’t you regret at all? You had an opportunity to make one of your wishes come true. Although I absolutely agree- expenses could be really overwhelming!
No I don’t regret it at all because I know I would attend sooner than later and it would be arranged just like I want it. Thanks Kat.
Good confident post! I am not fashion police, neither do I take much interest in it (apparently I dress like a nun looool) – but this post can be related to any type of blog. Faith, lifestyle. food and so on.
Not sure if it has already been written but it depends on how you see your blog and what you want to get from it at the end of the day. If your blog is in the early stages and you desire to get some recognition for it …it is good to go for networking purposes. However, if you feel you are in the right place…established then stick with your guns.
This was a timely post for me – so thank you.
Glad you like it. Thanks for reading..
I can see where you are coming from with this. I do go and pay for events myself but mainly because its the only times I get to see all (most) of my blogging friends in one place. I’ve been blogging for a long time and while I don’t go to big events like LFW I have attended a few PS Fashion events and while I’d never say I was fashion focused I do like attending the events. It’s your blog and you have to do what works for you x
Exactly. Thanks Steph x
You have to do whatever is right for your business. I understand not going if you’re invited and expenses aren’t covered
Thanks..
I think if I lived near it then I would go, because then it wouldn’t be much out of pocket but I can see when you’re coming from.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Thanks Jordanne.
Wow, good on you for sticking to your guns! I think that as bloggers, brands can be quite disrespectful sometimes when they don’t take into account that this is your job! Expecting free promotion etc – how am I supposed to earn a living from a free sample of your product? Hopefully more people like you will take a stand and things may begin to shift!
Thank you.
London Fashion Week is a very exclusive event to trade and fashion. I know most bloggers want to get through just to say they’ve been there, but… the truth is.. unless you work for a media and have something serious to report about / edit for someone, you really have nothing to do there.
I’m thinking to skip this season, because it’s too much hustle to go with a kicking baby inside my belly, and will be doing my editorials based on online reports from the main stream fashion medias.
Yes I know. Thanks Lubka.
I’ve been invited to quite a few events but usually they are all in London and I live much further up north and I can pay to go abroad for the amount it costs me to get to London! I find it so annoying that many just expect us bloggers to pay for everything when that’s just not possible! I hope you are able to go to one of the fashion weeks at some point 🙂
Yea. Thanks Kira.
True! I’m sorry you had this experience 🙁
Thank you.
I agree. Although back in 2012 I somehow blagged show tickets to LFW. It was an incredible experience. My blog was only 7 months old and I think I had around 75 views a day. Really not sure how I did it. Would I go now. Nope. Not unless expenses were covered.
Ah nice you got in then.
It is a wondetful opportunity but I agree with you that your time is valueable and so is promotion on your blog sonunless you value it no one else will. Pr should at leadt fund travel expenses if they want coverage.
Exactly. Thanks Nayna.
Correct. Yes I like your style and that is my position too. If they need you, your bills should be taken care of. I love you and your blog. Keep flying.
Thanks a lot..
I think it’s wise for you to have your own mind and not jump at every opportunity that is offered to you. Good luck with reaching more success as a blogger. Feel free to check out my new blog http://www.ourconversationpieces.com
Off to check it now. Thanks Alyssa.
I completely agree with you. Nice blog
Thank you.
Love the honesty!
Thanks Becca.
I get your point,not because you already review fashion,you should settle,maybe next year you can go with all expenses paid.
Yes maybe. Thanks.
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Like your post and have read more ur blogs as I am new here, still on the stage of figuring out where to clink and how to find all the buttons, 😊❤️🌹but I lv fashion anyway, ur tips quite useful thanks x
Glad you do. Thanks Annie.
Such an insightful entry.
Thanks.
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I found your post interested, it shed some light on what I’m trying to. I’m an upcoming fashion stylist just getting my feet wet. I’m a new follower and I think you should be compensated for the work you put out. Traveling expenses can be very expensive. I hope you do get an all expenses paid to one of the fashion week shows and let your talent shine more while your there. Good luck!
I hope so too. Thanks a lot Arlene.
Very well said! A touch of respect is much warranted for in any industry. We bloggers are humans too! I look forward to reading your thoughts on other aspects of all things fashion xx
Thank you for reading.
Hi, sorry to hear that they were not paying for your travel and stay. You have a great blog and I absolutely agree with you!
Thank you.
Completely makes sense.
Thanks.
Great blog💜💛💚
Thank you.
I love this post,you are truly a great blogger
Thanks Cairo.
Absolutely agree with you on this.
Thank you.
I honestly, I don’t blame you. You have to do what’s best for you. I don’t think I would able to go to London or New York’s Fashion week. Although, it’s a dream that one day I will be able to go.
Yea true that.
Yeah.. Thats very true.
Help me get up as a blogger by checking my blogs out.
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I will. Thank you.
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I love your sense of style and your amazing work online.
Can you please check out my blog as I am a still upcoming blogger and want more feedback from people like you.
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Thanks. I will.
Love the post , just stunning 👌🏻
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Hope you will like it 💗
Xoxo 😘
Thanks Sunaina.
This makes perfect sense!
Glad it does Lauren..