The Blogging Business

Imran Amed: Think of it as a virtual Speakers' Corner. People have always had their own opinions, especially on fashion. Web and mobile technologies are getting better and people are increasingly comfortable using them, so now they don't have to get up on a soapbox in Hyde Park on a Sunday to let their opinions be heard. You may not always agree with what they say, but, like at Speakers' Corner, you can "heckle" the blogger by posting a comment, telling them exactly what you think. It is this kind of dialogue that forms the basis of original, timely content that is distinct from what is available in the traditional media. So now crowds are starting to form — and you know what happens when people see a crowd. Blogs have started to hit the mainstream, and not just in the fashion industry. More and more people are including a blog or two in their daily Internet roundup, a quick pass through our virtual Speakers' Corner to hear what independent thinkers have to say. This, in turn, inspires more people to blog, and so the cycle continues.

IA: At the start, there were no business goals, per se. I simply couldn't find anywhere on the Internet that brought creatives and business people together to discuss the intersection between the two. We are beginning to think of ideas about how to take the blog to the next level, including potential revenue streams from advertising and sponsored posts.

IA: Our community is a global, multifaceted group representing all aspects of the fashion industry. They are students and journalists, stylists and CEOs, designers and entrepreneurs from more than 140 countries.

IA: The best blogs tend to provide a unique and often personal perspective on a topic about which the blogger is passionate. For me, this shines through on Style Bubble. Susie Bubble's passion comes through in her honest writing, in-depth research, and distinctive aesthetic and presentation. I also read Cathy Horyn's blog on the New York Times site, Heard on the Runway by the Wall Street Journal, and the 360Fashion blogs, each of which represents a different spoke of the industry.

IA: I am a huge admirer of the work of Patrizio di Marco and Tomas Maier at Bottega Veneta. They have developed a brand that is consistent in every single customer interaction. Building on his Intrecciato woven bags, Maier has developed an outstanding vision for RTW — it feels contemporary while sticking to Bottega Veneta's heritage of understated luxury. The company's revenue has grown at more than 50% per year, and last year's operating income grew 300% to €54.6 million. This could be the next €1 billion luxury brand in the making, one that is based on an authentic, high-quality luxury product with a competitive position.

IA: For small brands, it's a crowded market and very hard to get noticed in the cacophony of media overload. Production is also a huge challenge. Collections are beginning to move so quickly that in order to compete with the big guys, you have to operate at sprint speed, but for the length of a marathon. All of this is tough for upstart brands. Luckily, there is more interest in the luxury sector than ever, and more capital and expertise is flowing into the industry as diverse players look to capture some of its upside.

IA: China is already exploding, and Russia is a major market to contend with, but I am most excited about the burgeoning luxury industry in India. For years, fashion houses the world over have turned to India for inspiration and high-quality embroidery, beadwork, and textiles. This is a country with a rich tradition of luxury, where quality and artisanship have long been respected. Yes, there are those pesky retail-infrastructure constraints and high import duties to deal with, but India has a voracious appetite for luxury, and the affluent middle and upper classes are growing. Most of all, I am interested in seeing what India contributes to the world of luxury itself, not just what Western luxury brands bring to India.

IA: In New York, I was impressed with the edgy uptown collection from Peter Som. Thakoon's collection in a beautiful color palette and modern prints was also a standout. The polished, tailored looks of Jonathan Saunders were evidence of a powerful creative renaissance in London. Christopher Kane veered in another amazing new direction and Giles Deacon demonstrated the potential of what he could do with the resources of a couture house. Milan's 6267 sent out a precocious collection of uniquely constructed dresses and classic silhouettes that had everybody talking, including the folks at Prada. And for me, Balenciaga and Lanvin stole the show in Paris: Ghesquiere, with his parade of prints, and Elbaz for those unforgettable, long trapeze dresses. I also liked Ricardo Tisci's collection for Givenchy, Swiss-cheese leather notwithstanding.