Social Media’s Future

      The Internet is a democratizing medium, which gives ordinary people a lot of power to transform them into content creators and disseminators of information. Blog and social media had already confirmed this point after discussion. In addition, Internet also led to a lot of people’s power who did not create a virtual network before. If you cannot find someone or something in Google, it probably does not exist. Therefore, entrepreneurs have found many ways to get as many people to participate in content creation, and have been rewarded. It is now easy to see the authenticity of realities, content creation and publishing has become more and more civilians that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Blog is the first major source of user-generated content. However, if you want to have one nowadays, you have to use your substantial content to attract fans.

      MySpace, Facebook and Twitter make it easier for users to become content creators. You do not need to record writing desperately. Simply enter a few status updates, comments, or tweet to talk about the morning breakfast, are likely to lead to hundreds of million hits volume. Now you are free to put breakfast photos on Instagram to share in social networking, click the “like” button for favorite content. Only simple few steps can complete an extraordinary social effect.

      However, the “Renaissance” of creating the content has ended. Allowing users to make more shares becomes the hot business opportunity, which means popular effect can bring billions of dollars for enterprises every year. More sharing is more attractive and benefits than the content of advertising services is clearly visible. Facebook and other networks lead us into a new social world, where we share a lot is to create content. Listening dubstep-mixing songs on Spotify and sharing music; reading a bad article on Yahoo and sharing stories; watching YouTube videos on the Socialcam and sharing visual feast. While at the same time, we are rapidly losing the power of choosing object and content to share. This is also one of the hardships that the future development of social media will bring as I think.

      Social media will be ubiquitous in the future, and will be taken into anything we use, from desktop software to the phone, to the network, and then to the hotel’s thermostat and telephone.

      Social media will be huge in the future, because of low barriers to entry of the network. People can create a number of small, diverse communities, and then these groups will create a wonderful niche product. Finally, two to three social brands will come out and become station, and 90% of social business will happen through these stations. Now it has already started to occur, but it is still far away from the degree of making people surprised.

      Social media will be intelligent in the future. It will be seamlessly integrated into traditional private events, such as banking, shopping, etc.

      Social media will be invisible in the future. As social media becomes more and more intelligent, huge, everywhere, the word “social media” will disappear since it is too ubiquitous to cause people’s attention, just like the subtle hum from home appliances.

Social Media in Politics

      As in recent years, the reality shows, social media change the organization, society and way of communication between individuals with its ubiquitous convenience and scalable communication technologies essentially. This huge change’s impact on world politics undoubtedly exists.

      Politicians must properly posture and show relatively humane side to win the audiences’ trust and love. However, they cannot show too much related to personal privacy and political intentions. This is very difficult to draw the line of propriety.

      In fact, in the United States, the definition of social media is not only about friends, jobs and entertainment, organizing protests is also an important role in the platform. This is called the full version of “Facebook effect”, that is, in addition to social and psychological significance, there is a strong underestimate chain reaction between political and commercial of social media. A large number of celebrities, especially politicians apparently saw this “Facebook effect” and began to participate in social media interaction, which further enhanced the social media’s influence and voice.

       It turns out that in some critical moment, politicians and diplomats’ influence on social media will play an important role. Especially on the occasion of rumors, influential and credible politicians and diplomats’ speaking will cause the audiences’ attention. Since they have accumulated good interactive experience in peacetime, and established positive images, their words are more likely to be believed.

      Because of these people’s influence and appeal, Facebook and other social media are trying to help politicians and other public figures to create a good image, which is an important factor for these social medias to ensure popularity and influence. Unconsciously, some politicians and celebrities became media itself with a huge influence under Facebook’s maintenance and respect. This is also the important reason that U.S. government encourages officials manage their Facebook effectively.

      Social media has more positive impact on social life and social political. For instance, election. During the UK general election, the famous social media Facebook built DemocracyUK page specially, which was used to report the UK general election roundly. Twitter also became a major force behind a British election debate. A large number of voters expressed their political will and expectations of the election’s result through the Twitter. Obama was known as the first person that was sent to the presidency by social media. In U.S. presidential election, Barack Obama, as always, first announced his candidacy plan on Facebook. Before him, number of candidates have set up Facebook accounts, and announced their campaign plans. Before the traditional election started, social media’s campaign battle had begun.

      All in all, in my opinion, media presence because of political, and social media has become mainstream media because of the political as well. 

Examples of Social Media Marketing of Fashion Industry

      As representatives of Fashion advocacy of popular culture, Marc Jacobs was one of the first several masters who opened Twitter account. He is happy to use online media; his micro-blog is very active; he updates the content timely; he even broadcasts fashion show on Facebook site. Jacobs also invited reporters to work with him, shooting out a documentary about the whole process of his designs for Louis Vuitton’s new season’s collection. In this regard, Jacobs said, “Life is changing, the Internet and new media are a major force in contributing to this change.” Besides, in recent years, two veteran fashion guru also uncharacteristically chose to shoot personal documentaries, which presented their work environment and even life stories one by one to the public, such as 《Valentino: The Last Emperor》， 《Fashion as a Religion》.

      This documentary-style film is undoubtedly closer the distance between fashion and the public, so that people can understand the distant designers’ lives and work more clearly and intuitively. Harvey Weinstein— producer of “Project Runway” stated: “What you see is blood and tears of the struggle process. Prior to this, I think ordinary people do not know how difficult to become a successful fashion designer. From the appearance, designer clothing is an easy and simple job, only after kicking off, you will see hardships behind. ” Donatella Versace also issued a positive opinion: “These documentaries show the harsh side of fashion industry. They did not destroy the mystery – in fact, they would rather remain a mystery.”

      Another example of social media marketing is an endless stream of fashion reality show. TV reality show “Project Runway,” “America’s Next Top Model” and other programs provide a basis for the emergence of fashion bloggers. These popular fashion show programs not only make people begin to understand the operation of the fashion industry, but also make them believe that they can also become a designer, a supermodel on the T-station, and the fashion industry is not far away. Meanwhile, such films also inspire the young people’s longing and curiosity of fashion industry, especially inspire young people make their voices heard through some social medias, and show themselves to the fashion industry.

       About the relations between social media and fashion industry, Stout gives a vivid metaphor with “America’s top supermodel,” “Project Runway” reality show as an example: “These programs will make some young people realize their dreams, but it will not create the next Cindy Crawford, or the next Karl Lagerfeld. “

Is It Ethical to Reveal Mysterious Veil of Fashion Industry?

      Considering whether targeted ads in social media is ethical or not, my view of point is that regardless of a growing number of new media appear in the fashion industry is beneficial or not, this is an inevitable trend in fashion industry. CEO of Facebook—Mark Zuckerberg said” The force of social element penetrates and influences all walks of life in today’s world in its own unique way. Those industries with foresight should make good use of these social elements, absorb and contain them to avoid repentant.”

      At 2009 Fall Fashion Week, the late bad boy designer Alexander McQueen first broadcast live fashion show via video site， which opened a mysterious veil of fashion show to make fashion fans around the world watch as on the ground. After this, varieties major top fashion brands followed this method of simulcasting, some brands even invite some online fashion bloggers to bring laptop stationed in the front row of fashion show. They are sitting beside editor or creative director of mainstream fashion magazine, and exchanging information about the fashion show both inside and outside with fans through Facebook or Twitter and other social medias at first time. New York Fashion Week in Spring 2012 even became the first-ever Fashion Week that broadcasted live on the phone. Organizers said that there were 100,000 people participated in the New York fashion week, while those online participants are even countless.

      This difference between the mysterious atmospheres of fashion industry before and now cannot be simply judged by whether it is ethical. It depends on those fashion gurus’ thoughts and attitudes of the times. As the devil design guru Alexander McQueen said, “I want everyone to watch the fashion show synchronization.”

      Internet bloggers become the protagonist of the fashion world is not an accidental phenomenon. Several years ago, fashion industry has started showing a trend of popularity and commercialization. Landmark film “The Devil Wears Prada” moved fashion industry on the big screen for the first time, and achieved good box office. TV reality show “Project Runway,” “America’s Top Supermodel” and other programs provide a basis for the emergence of fashion bloggers. These popular fashion show programs not only make people begin to understand the operation of the fashion industry, but also make them believe that they can also become a designer, a supermodel on the T-station, and the fashion industry is not far away. Meanwhile, such films also inspire the young people’s longing and curiosity of fashion industry, especially inspire young people make their voices heard through some social medias, and show themselves to the fashion industry.

      In this case, fashion practitioners are also increasingly aware of the emerging social media’s influence. Recently, most mainstream fashion medias and fashion brands are lower their profiles and start using a new public relations marketing tool— Twitter and other social medias to communicate with audiences and consumers.

Half-hour Isolation

      After being assigned to do this interesting but unimaginable task, I decided to arrange a half-hour unplugged life on weekends to feel if all electronic products are gone, would my life still be enjoyable?

      After getting up at noon, I subconsciously wanted to crab the phone to check what time it was. Then I realized that all electronic products were forbidden during this half-hour. I suddenly discovered that it is even difficult to know the time if I don’t own these electronic products. (Since I always have mobile phones, computers and other electronic equipment, I do not wear a watch and there is also no clock in my house). OK, fine~I borrowed a watch form my roommate’s. Then, time began.

      I went to wash, picked skin care products, and got ready to use them for this “blank” half an hour, such as applied a mask. It cost me ten minutes to finish this process. How can it be only ten minutes? I always feel I need a lot of time to do the skin maintenance everyday and my boyfriend often complains that I spend too much time in bathroom as well. Then I realized that the reason I were so slow before is because that when I was painting these skin care products, I also took the ipad watching videos, sending messages, or picking up the phone to check emails and other trifles at the same time.

      I sat on a chair and was in a daze for a while. Then I started to think whether Popeye would sabotage downstairs or not, such as biting my shoes, eating kitchen stuff and more. (To avoid interference, I put my Golden Retriever downstairs).

      Then, I really did not know what to do after. I was ready to read. Thank God, I finally found a paper novel after rummaging. (God knows, since the ipad released, how long I have not smelled the scent of the book).

      Finally， I had finished this short and long half-hour. This is not easy to describe the feeling about this half hour. Before I tried, I firmly believed it would be nothing more but boring. No phone, no Internet, no watching TV, no listening to the radio, which made me a feel a sort of “secluded”. At first, I felt a little anxious. Even know the phone was not around, I still could not help but reached out and looked for it. After getting used to it, I began to notice more things around, such as hearing the birds, hearing the neighbors’ movement, seeing people walking the dog pass my house.

      This is a new and novel experience. At first, I felt a little uncomfortable and embarrassing about this extremely quiet phenomenon. However, after some time, this quiet made ​​me feel extremely calm though I still could not wait to get my cell phone once the half an hour finished.

      Over the years it seems I have become accustomed to a busy “plug” life: the phone is always open, the telephone line is not pulled; television often driving, not to see what programs are playing, but because of boredom or lazy; I would rather become a sofa “potato” but not willing to go outdoor for sunshine; I would never turn off the computer. It seems like if I do not surf the Internet frequently, my day will not be completed.

      We must admit that modern technology has greatly facilitated our lives. However, occasionally try the kind of “unplugged” live, which means do not use high-tech appliances, return to simple rustic lifestyle will also be a nice try. 

When Fashion Go Public

      Originally fashion referred to the clothing, hairstyle fashions, and now generalized fashion industry includes two categories: fashion manufacturing and fashion services. Consumption affects the modern way of life, and guides the direction of social production. In the field of the objective function, clothing is a necessity. However, in the field of spiritual connotation, when clothing transfer from necessities into consumer products, it becomes interpretation and aesthetic experience of the concept of fashion.

      Once upon a time, in the era of Yves Saint Laurent, the fashion gurus were all unknowable, inaccessible, and high-set fashion clothing were famous for its incompatible with popular culture. New media not only closer the distance between fashion and public, but also gradually uncover the mystery of the fashion world. As Jorz who is creative director of the U.S. 《ELLE》 magazine said “we live in an era of information explosion. Whether you like or not, in short, everything is brought into the open.” After this year’s New York Fashion Week, there are some critics sigh, will the fashion industry completely leave the altar? Will increasing well-developed network of media eventually make the fashion industry be engulfed by popular culture and thus lose its unique mysterious charm? Does the involvement of new media develop the fashion industry, or shrink it instead?

      Facing with these questions, the marketing expert of fashion industry—Steve Stout believes that this does not prejudice the current status and image of leading figures in the fashion circle. He explained, “Every time you use medias to reveal an industry insider, someone would say: ‘magic is gone, you show too much.’ But nobody knows how Karl Lagerfeld has done through all these years. You can tell people where to buy fabric, how to make clothes, but only with combination of talent, the so-called magic will synthesize. Tom Ford is a magician, Valentino is a magician, and Karl Lagerfeld is a magician. ” Gucci’s designer—Frida Giannini also gives a similar answer “fashion’s real charm does not lies on those strange things behind the scenes. Consumers’ real dreams pinned on the product.”

      This is a time of change. Everyone needs to adapt!

New Media in Fashion Industry

In the past century, the fashion industry is a mysterious and unattainable field for the mass. Four big Fashion Week runway shows’ front rows have always been the symbol of power, identity, status and influence, and the first row is always associated with names of fashion elite and celebrities.

In recent years, the emerging media broke the fashion industry’s practice. As the American designer Zac Posen said, the fashion industry is at a watershed of this era – one side is the tradition that emphasis on privacy, while the other side is new culture that extend individuality and pay attention to outreach.

Today, only depending on traditional medias (television, newspapers, radio, etc.) has been unable to fully cover the audiences, thus new media (such as mobile phones, broadband networks, etc.) gradually emerge in the advertising industry and begin to dominate. Using new media has become a trend. In a consumer society, the symbolic meaning of fashion products is much more attractive than the functional significance, and new media become an important carrier of fashion industry to manufacture fashion symbols, spread symbols, and promote consumption.

Network has increasingly become the big stage for merchandise selling, and now, luxury should also join them. This season’s Fashion Week has no exception that verities major brands began to use new media campaigns: LV make its live telecast of the whole process of clothing show on Facebook; fashion bloggers become regulars of these fashion shows; fashion designers and models have their own Twitter account and update frequently; Jaeger-LeCoultre, Gucci, and other brands launched their own mobile application software.

Now fashion advocates a concept, rather than simply introduce a product. Fashion media not only pass information, but also refract the new fashion trend. Fashion is not fashionable, but a spirit, a powerful sound which leads the era.

Top Trends in Fashion Industry

     In recent years, trends and analysis of the fashion has become a very complicated business field. The propagation speed of global information brings people two different effects, which facilitates our lives, but also to make it even more confusing. More rapid dissemination of information makes all areas of business become very challenging. Of course, the fashion industry has no exception.

     Global fashion industry is facing several top trends due to my research:

a). The impact of fast fashion

b). The emergence of new impetus – Brazil, Russia, India, China

c). Internet explosion

d). Green Concept

e). Celebrity charm

g). Service-oriented

     From my view, I think celebrities should be an important part of influencers in fashion industry. As we know, celebrity charm has always been a “magic weapon” for fashion brand to open the new market. Some “special characters’ relevant initiatives clearly has more powerful impetus of local fashion brands and industry.

     In 2009, First Lady of United States—Michelle Obama wore a dress designed by a Chinese designer Jason Wu in her husband—Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration ceremony, which detonated a global attention. Since then, 26-year-old Jason Wu stood firmly in the fashion industry, and its creation brand “Jason Wu” quickly gained widespread attention and rose rapidly.

     Meanwhile, stars as designers also has a growing influence in the fashion industry. Stars has become muse of brands for a long time, the brand also sell clothes by stars’ appeal. Then simply let a capable star design a few pieces of clothes, and you don’t need to worry about the selling. And then became a series from a few pieces, and then became a continuous series of launch, and then star made its own brand. Victoria Beckham is a perfect example of this trend, which started from a simple product, and gained a big position in fashion industry by her own brand. And now even its retail channels have to emulate big brands.

who am I？

Hello, all

My name is Bingying Xu, you can call me both Bingying and Rebecca. I’m from China, and now live with my golden puppy in Manchester, NH. I graduated from a university in Shanghai, China with the major of hospitality. And recently I’m pursuing MS graduate degree here in SNHU with only one courses left. Since I am a full time student, I have only one six-month internship experience, which is working in 2001 Shanghai Expo. In my spare time, my interest is absolutely shopping and fashion. Imagine a fashion magazine full of women just like us – college students, moms, professionals, in all shapes and sizes, on a budget and dressing for the challenges of everyday life. There would be no models, no Photoshop, no fancy backdrops, just real women talking real fashion.  In this blog, I wanna share fashion news and trends with all of you.

Thanks for reading and sharing!