When I watched the live stream of the lucky magazine fashion and beauty bloggers conference online yesterday I had one thought going through my mind – When will the UK fashion media realise the importance of bloggers? Times are a changing and more and more young women are seeking style inspiration not from the likes of Vogue magazine but from bloggers like Susie Bubble. So when will UK fashion mags start hosting blogger events like the FABB one? Lucky Magazine also announced their new venture The Lucky Style Collective which involves bloggers getting involved with the magazine including sitting in at staff discussions and being involved with the magazines content. A huge acknowledgement of the contribution bloggers are making in the fashion industry.
US bloggers are in a superior position to us UK bloggers. There are many different fashion blogging conferences in the states but can’t think of any aimed at fashion bloggers this side of the pond. UK bloggers are rapidly increasing in numbers and the quality of some of these blogs is astounding. PRs are now realising the importance of the blogging community with more and more PRs reaching out to bloggers and bloggers only PR events being held all over the capital. But we are still lagging behind the states. I’ve heard whispers that IFB may hold a conference in London some time in the future but nothing is confirmed as of yet. Some aspects of the media seem to hold the impression that bloggers aren’t of importance but we are. We are quickly becoming a key aspect of the fashion industry. Unlike traditional magazines that publish monthly and who sometimes decide content based on who buy advertising space from the magazine, bloggers are largely independent and content is often published daily which allows us to be current. We are capable of writing high quality, well thought out posts on different areas of fashion and the breadth of subjects on blogs is amazing. 
We tackle issues, cover fashion shows, talk about budget fashion (which magazines like Vogue seem incapable of doing – helloooo £100 for a pair of shoes is NOT budget fashion), examine fashion from other cultures, review products and services truthfully and give an honest viewpoint unswayed by the influence of brands. If it’s a sponsored post we say so. There is transparency in fashion blogging that seems lacking in magazines. In some ways we are held up to a much higher moral standing. 
So is it time UK magazines realised our importance. Should they be hosting events like the Lucky FABB conference and should the fashion/beauty industry be behind us like MAC and milk studios in the US who are sponsoring the IFB Evolving Influence bloggers conference? I personally think they should. Realise our worth and realise that you need to work WITH us. Bloggers are here to stay. WE are the future and like it or not a lot of women (and men) take notice of what we say. Our opinions count and I think that’s a good thing!
