Loving the Spotlight - Opening Up To The Digital World

The aspect of social media, in its basic form, creates exposure. Be it for a celebrity or anyone of normal stature. A designer can hope to reap many a benefit from their presence and usage of social media, it being a quicker way to spread information. In fact, social media has become somewhat of a pivotal part of life, in order for one to "put [themselves] out there". Publicity is a factor that designers thrive upon. So, being photographed at events or being interviewed puts a designer under a professional light. There presence is acknowledged and whatever is being exchanged is tactfully business. It boosts value of that particular celebrity.

In terms of social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or even Snapchat for that matter, followers are let in to the personal side of a celebrity or designer. But still, this all adds to the benefit of fame! It's hard to identify in these cases, if this kind of "personal" exposure really undermines the status of a designer. Although, one should be careful of what they say on social media as it might not always be received positively. This could possibly turn people against a designer and their label. In retrospect, a designer isn't subject to heavy criticism as much as a celebrity is. Nonetheless, designers today surely have an edge with social media that certainly helps spread their brand identity. The same goes for reality television. It all gives one access to what a designer is like in their personal environment. It gives viewers not only entertainment, but a chance to relate to these designers on a personal level.

Probably, it could be considered that only when this exposure crosses a certain line, the "personal" side really steps in. A possible reason for such a thing to happen is primarily consent. When a designer is aware of what they're saying or portraying, it's strictly business. He/She is completely in control over information transferred. On the contrary, if a designer is attending a private family event, it becomes unethical to publicize unless the designer themselves decides to make news of it. Approval of what a designer wishes to let followers know is what separates "personal" from "professional".

“I think that when you see too much of a dress, it’s not a good dress. And when you see too much of a designer, it means that it’s not too much of a good piece and they need to do too much publicity to push it forward,” or so Alber Elbaz reiterates at a recent talk at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sometimes, publicity enhances sales, but also the mystery behind a designer can go a long way. Albeit, still have no problem in the financial aspect. Alessandro Michele of Faith Connexion and Martin Margiela seem to have cultivated a prospective lifestyle and a vast fan following despite being recluse, with their being only one known image of the latter released to the press in all these years.

Everything is business in the fashion world. Never could there be a case where personal information doesn't stir interest in the public. Its the fundamental need of society to be aware and social media allows a little too much for the public to be aware of, but who's complaining?