To tweet or not to tweet...

No other medium has so transformed the fashion industry, in recent years, than the overwhelming influence of Social Media. From Blogs to Facebook groups, Tweets to Vlog postings the fashion industry is connected virally through an endless stream of IM channels, networking platforms and websites. It is essential that you get connected!

In some ways, you already are, because you’re reading this Blog. But if you’re hoping to step into the fashion sphere in Manchester and in the UK you need to get your hands dirty. Reading Blogs is one thing, writing them is a whole other ball game.

Blog is an acronym for Web-log which was a craze that started out life as a means for cyber-geeks to pen their cyber-diaries. Since then this platform has been adopted as a legitimate form of journalism, particularly in the Political and Fashion sectors, and has reshaped the way people comment and communicate within these industries forever. I won’t need to tell you about the recent MAC-Rodarte controversy or the incident closer to home concerning that inappropriate McQueen Window at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square, it was Bloggers that were on to it first.

To call yourself a Blogger gives you certain kudos, a certain status within the fashion industry; you’ll be able to get yourself the odd freebie, the five minute interview here and there and perhaps even a cult following if you’re lucky. But, to be a great blogger opens doors. Fear not as no one becomes Style Bubble over night, every Blogger started out with the same awkward website design, the same spelling mistakes and the same Blog posting we wish we could forget. Who does this lad think he is I hear you yell! Well I’ll be the first to admit, I’m no expert in this field but I am a dedicated apprentice and am endlessly fascinated by the ways and means being a Blogger has enabled me to enter the fashion industry within Manchester and the UK.

Though, I don’t just consider Blogging as a vital tool for the fashion student, to Tweet or not to Tweet, there is no longer a question. Get yourself a Twitter account and start experimenting. Twitter has attracted some of the most important figures in the fashion world from the instrumental Bloggers like @tavitulle and @StyleSalvage to the fashion assistants at your favourite Glossys @Grazia_Live and @StylistMagazine. Anyone who is worth reading is worth following (as no one will be your ‘friend’ on Twitter, they will simply allow you to follow them as one does a spiritual leader).

As a student of fashion and general newbie of Twitterland you’ll probably spend the first few months or even year of your Twitter career hopelessly following the likes of @Stefanogabbana and @vogue_london in a vain hope to get an @ mention. (The method of communicating direct to one-another is conducted by beginning your 140 character Tweet with @ followed by the recipient’s screen name). However, stay focused, Tweet well and check regularly so you’re on the cusp of the fashionable topics. Smart phones are obviously a must and the best applications are TweetDeck for iPhone and UberTwitter for BlackBerry. For other models use the Official Twitter Application.

To get you started on your viral career I’ve compiled a list of people to follow and read, a list I wish I had had at my exposal. You can tweet lists like this all day on a Friday carrying the hashtag #ff or #followfriday (hashtags enable you to participate in specific conversations and for those participating to see your thoughts, it also saves characters) This should at least get you a thank you in your Direct Message inbox. You should also download The Manchester Twitter Report from theEword and have a read.

Why not start with someone in your shoes? @jordanjmcdowell

This lady owns the digital airspace in Manchester, although not directly related to Fashion she is certainly worth a ReTweet @Sandy_Lindsay

You won’t get anywhere without following the Hub of Mancunion fashion @TheFashionNetUk

No one has a slicker account that @Harvey_Nichols and your local @HN_Manchester

Vintage is well represented with @Vintage_Threads

Stylist to the stars and direct to your mobile @YourStylist

Stylist @STYLISA started life in Manchester has recently moved operations to London.

Influential on a serious note @Drapers, @LEONBAILEYGREEN

Places to be seen @Spinningfields, @PiccadillyMCR, @AvenueThe, @traffordcentre

Post written by Jordan McDowell http://fashion-rambler.blogspot.com