My Introduction to Christian Siriano’s Closet

Posted on by Ashley Laurel

For all the complaining I’ve been doing about Facebook lately, I was pretty excited when this targeted ad showed up alongside my Facebook news feed a few days ago (was it my Project Runway mention in my profile perhaps?)!

It’s my all time favorite ad so far because a) I love Christian and b) I love Bluefly.com’s “Closet Confessions” idea. The social shopping site, founded in 1988, sponsored Project Runway, so it’s only fair that the designers pay their respects.

Bluefly’s confession series also highlights other big names, but I’m sticking with Siriano as my favorite for now. Check out Siriano’s closet here. Though I’m not so sure about Siriano’s “gold moment”,  I can forgive, and it was pretty fun to learn more about his personal style.

Now, if only I could get my hands on an outfit from his first collection…

Ann Taylor’s Foray into Social Media

Posted on by Ashley Laurel
There was a point in my life when I never thought I’d shop at Ann Taylor, yet ever since Ann Taylor’s head designer came on board, my praise of the brand has grown. While the designs are finally completely in line with my aesthetic (thank you, Lisa Axelson), the brand’s social media strategy has been pretty great lately as well.

First, I noticed a contest on Polyvore (a social shopping and digital scrapbooking site). After 2,008 entries, five winners were chosen to receive $200 gift cards and have their sets featured on Facebook. Unfortunately, I didn’t win, but I was pleased to get a response on Twitter after I promoted my set.

After I heard directly from the brand, I checked out their Facebook page and was impressed to see a very well put together landing page called “AT Insider”.  The page includes a link to work chic styles, with a mention of their wear-to-work wardrobe contest, also sponsored by InStyle. Also on the page is a lookbook, the brand’s Twitter feed, and the five winning looks from the Polyvore contest you can choose your summer style from- in case you were wondering, I like the “Refined Chic” outfit the best. You can additionally see how other fans are wearing the brand, or show off your unique twist on Ann Taylor looks. My favorite part of the page is definitely seeing how other Ann Taylor fans are wearing their purchases.

Two things to improve upon:
*No evident organization/schedule to the Facebook or Twitter posts
*No link to the official Twitter account from the website

And now,  two of the looks on my list of must-haves for this season:

HP’s "Let’s Do Amazing" Campaign Taps Famed Photographer Annie Leibovitz

Posted on by Ashley Laurel

If you haven’t been on Hewlett-Packard’s Facebook page or viewed their YouTube channel recently, then you may not have caught the latest addition to their unaired “Let’s Do Amazing” campaign. On March 11th, the campaign began, as Rhys Darby of Flight of the Concords began his quest for amazing ways people are using HP products around the world.

The newest video features famed photographer (and photographer of my all-time favorite Vogue spread: Alice in Wonderland) Annie Leibovitz, using HP’s DreamColor printer.

So how did the portrait photographer end up in a printer ad? Some say financial issues, but I’m not judging. I just like that the is something a little different, and those from the fashion world get to enjoy seeing Annie in front of the camera lens for a change.

Dr. Dre and UPS also make appearances.

As far as the strength of the overall campaign? You tell me.