By Guest Writer on Wednesday, March 3rd 2010, 10:00

In the same week that child blogger, Tavi, made the headlines by obstructing the view with her oversized head gear, of an established fashion journalist, at the Chanel couture show, The Manchester Fashion Network hosted a timely discussion on, ‘The Power of The Blog’.

As newly appointed Brand Manager for online, luxury vintage retailer, Vintageacademe.com, I was keen to hear what they had to say about the importance of social networking and online marketing strategies for fashion businesses.

The panel consisted of Leon Bailey Green and Drapers Online Editor Keely Stocker, chaired by Dale Hicks from the MFN. The presentation was relaxed and informal, and hosted in the chic surroundings of Manchester bar, Epernay.

The crowd was a mixture of local fashion businesses wanting to know what online strategies were right for them, keen bloggers and fashion students. The panel discussed companies with successful blogs – Matches was mentioned, for it’s original content, which supported their product and drove traffic to the site.

The panel covered the merits of having a blog as a fashion business, which included monitoring your audience’s tastes with click-throughs, and being able to directly address your customer.

Bailey Green also quashed the notion that this type of online marketing works for everyone. He succinctly put that if your customer wouldn’t go on Facebook/Twitter/read a blog, don’t just do it for the sake of it, a welcome word of advice to many a retailer feeling the pressure of online marketing.

After the experts had talked, the discussion was opened to the floor. Wannabe Susie Bubbles sought advice on how to use their blogs to crash fashion shows, PRs asked whether they should blog themselves, or send product to key bloggers, and tips were shared for the ultimate goal: driving traffic to a site.

After the talk, the students downed their drinks, and headed out into Manchester club land, and the business minded stayed behind for some light networking. Whether you were there for the wine or the business advice, it is safe to say, that an informative and enjoyable night was had by all.

Written by Jessica Hannan, Brand Manager of online luxury vintage retailer Vintage Academe

http://www.vintageacademe.com
http://vintageacademe.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/vintageacademe