I’ve been blogging very happily for about 2 months now and out of the blue, I got my very first hostile email last night. I read it when I was quite bleary eyed because it came in my inbox at about 2am when all I could think about was crawling into bed and dying because I had a stressful day at work. Having read it with more lucidity this morning I can now respond.
I’m not going to quote the email directly only because I will respect the privacy of the person who sent it to me (as opposed to him leaving a comment on the blog which would have been all-out-humiliation really….) – basically, the gist of the email is that I am being accused of self-promotion and having no knowledge of fashion whatsoever to warrant a blog and I should not even try to use Photoshop to edit pictures because clearly I have no aptitude in this area. He/She suggests I should stick to more informative topics and not to try and do anything that might inpinge and insult the ACTUAL stylists/photographers/art directors.
I’m more bemused by this than anything else. Who knew that someone would be so mortally offended by my ickle blog! I was going to write an essay of an email defending why I do what I do, back to him (for some reason, the email had a distinctly masculine tone to it….. but I have no idea….!) but I decided to just do it here.
I welcome criticism because I am still fairly new to blogging and am learning what works, what does not work but essentially, a blog is something personal – I’m not trying to be a net fashion journo by blogging ‘informative’ things (though I will inform people of things that I love and am interested in). When I do crappy Photoshopped pictures of outfits and things, it’s not because I think I’m so brilliant at it that I want to show off my talent (I admit I have none!) but really, it’s just an easy way of conveying my ideas. I don’t claim to be some kind of super stylist – I merely want to share ideas and things that I’m inspired by on a daily basis. I’m not trying to impinge on any kind of fashion turf whatsoever!
I had thought that the style blogging community was able to be receptive to blogs of all natures and had the capacity to welcome any new kind of style blog with open arms but I guess you just can’t please them all……
People don’t like music, I can turn it off. Too many pictures, I could reduce them, but asking me to change the content and direction of this blog – no can do I’m afraid, so whoever you are, will just have to live with it and ignore this typepad address!
i just want you to know that you have a great blog. i really enjoy your observations and ideas. i’m so sick of fashion magazines which are almost always overpriced boring commercials (except purple. i love purple). i’m so much more engaged by what real people think and wear. so thank you and keep up the good work.
i don’t know why people feel so inclined to take such time and energy to begrudge other people of what they enjoy. it makes no sense. if you don’t like something, just stop reading. it is that simple.
you’re harming no one, you’re entertaining and write well, have a style that is unique and more people come for that than anything else. it is fashion afterall, not neurosurgery.
why people feel the need to be so nasty for no purpose is beyond me. like you would close shop because of it.
you’re fabulous.
That person is a closed-minded idiot. Your blog is about your PERSONAL style, which is what makes it interesting. We don’t all have to agree with what someone else thinks is cool, but the decent thing to do is to respect it. Pay no mind to this person who obviously has too much free time.
youre always gonna get hatemail, so kudos to u for handeling it so well.
xoxo renee
http://www.blogrenee.com
i loove this blog because i’m into these kinda things. i thought it’s such a pleasure to read tres-chic blogs. i support your work!!
Srcew ’em.
You have a great blog. I know it’s wierd to put youself out there and have it thrown back but keep on going or I’ll miss you! I love looking at your blog while wasting time at work! You are creative and have great style!
I say keep up the good work, I love your blog, its very personalised and always had some interesting news.
Hey, I really enjoy reading your blog and really pleased I stumbled upon it. It is so nice to read personal views and opinions on fashion rather than having “professional” views rammed down your throat. Please do keep up the good work! You have received one negative e-mail – and loads of positive comments here!
When you get negative/hate mail, it’s a sign that you’ve made it. Ha…
you go girl!
I certainly don’t understand why someone would actually write you to say that your blog is not what they like. Weird. I bookmarked your blog the first time I read it. I think it is very interesting. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t read it or link to it or recommend it. (How much time would it take to email every blogger I didn’t care for?) My own blog is totally about self promotion (see – I just plugged a bit right there!) but so what? We do what we can to express ourselves and find ways to make IT happen in this world. Good for you and keep it up. I know you have tons of readers who think what you do is great and right on point as to what fashion blogging is all about.
How ridiculous- I received one ‘hate email’ when I started blogging too. Your blog is fab(as you must know, with all the devoted readers and commenters!). Some people have far too much time and negative energy on their hands. Idiotus Extremus.
i agree with all the support coming your way.
art and fashion and everything else belong to everyone. what makes your blog so lovely is that it is natural and instinctual. and lo and behold what you love is what tons of us love too. the internet threatens the hierarchy of a lot of things. and thank goodness it does. people are interested in people, not in what institutions want to show tell them to buy. grrrr.
anyway- i love your blog. don’t stop with your photoshopped images either.
you have a great blog!
I can’t even express how grateful I am to you guys. I was half expecting agreement with the mysterious blog critic and it’s not that I can’t take criticism – I just think he/she has totally missed the point of bloggin. His/her comments did raise an important issue though – as SwanDiamond said, the internet is threatening the hierarchy and am I supposed to feel guilty in having some part in this even though I never had any intentions to take on the real professionals. It’s the nature of the medium of the internet, right? I’m glad it allows people to interact with people on a more personal level and just as I consume fashion magazines like crazy, so too do I read blogs which I find equally fascinating – the two can co-exist because I think they provide different things. So I was just bewildered that someone thought I was trying to, in any way challenge the hierarchy because it shouldn’t have to be like that. Anyways once again, I’d be content in having a few niche readers such as yourselves and your support will keep spurring me on.
I have to say I absoulutely love your blog. Those photoshop pics that you mention inspired me to try the same for my art coursework. Thanks and please never stop posting!
I have a great way of dealing with blogs I dont like.
I dont read them.
I do the same with TV programmes that I dont want to watch, books I read the back of and dont fancy opening go back on the shelf, magazines on whose topic I have no interest dont get bought.
I wonder what sort of lonely anal retentive person feels the need to comment on things that they dont want to read.
And isnt it strange how these people always use hotmail or yahoo to spin the dirt, thats because in there real lifes they have so little real power and influence that it would be embarassing to use their real email or names.
Wow, maybe he will email me now, or do you only verbally pick on girls ya pussy.
Hey, I dont hide my real contact details.
What sets you apart from other fashion blogs is that you actually participate in the fashion experience and don’t just opinionate about fashion – ie. trekking to the Roland Mouret sample sale, hunting down the prada over-knee socks and photoshopping your ideas for the world to see, all in all you are an extremely motivated proactive person which i think the fashion blog ‘world’ needs to encourage.
It’s nobody elses place to tell you how to dress and it’s nobody else’s place to tell you how to format/style your blog.
Personally I think you do a great job of keeping your blog interesting and updated, keep up the good work Bubble
There are endless blogs out there full of ‘professionals’ giving their ‘professional’ opinion, aswell as million of magazines doing the same thing, so it’s good that you’re different!
I do wonder about people who put some much energy into spreading hate in the world! If they don’t like it, don’t read it. There’s enough diversity out there for them to find the fashion blog that tickles their fancy.
Your blog is fab, you’ve never truly ‘made it’ till you have ‘h8erz’ y’know 😉
I love your blog and read it daily … it is a great source of inspiration, ideas, advice and news. You have what I desire/admire most in the fashion world and that is personal style. Thanks for rockin the blog world and daring to be unique!!!
I would just like to say that I work in fashion, and I spend hours combing the internet looking for websites and blogs with some sense of personality. Every website is full of sterile, “informative” ariticles, and it is so refreshing to come across blog written by a person who has a creative point of view and content that is inspiring. Style Bubble is one of my absolute favorites- Thank you!!
This is one of my favorite fashion blogs ever. I think that you’ve really found a way to express yourself and your ideas. It’s great to see your enthusiam and creative spirit. Don’t change a thing!
Your blog is fantastic! I love reading it — it’s one of my favorites.
Wow, Susie, someone out there is obviously feeling a little threatened by you !! Why else would they go to the trouble of writing such a pointless nasty email? Where on earth do they get off telling you what you should or should not be doing, and commenting on your use of photoshop! I actually think that your self styled and photoshopped posts are the best thing about this blog, they are the most interesting and original content on the blog! please don’t stop doing them , I think you’ve a great eye, unique personal style and a refreshing way of presenting things. You should take this silly email as a compliment someones obviously stressed by your talent! Keep on posting!
well said, but besides your blog is right up there in my top reads
so continue on!
well said, but besides your blog is right up there in my top reads
so continue on!
Hi Suzy! I usually just lurk but this seemed to present the perfect opportunity to leave you a comment.
I just wanted to tell you how much I – and I’m sure plenty other readers – appreciate the work you do. Your blog is relevant, unlike magazines and other “professional” sources. Personality is a big draw in blogging, and it’s nice to see yours shine here. You do a fantastic job and I always look forward to visiting more than once daily because you update so often with interesting posts.
You know that that comment is just one negative one in a sea of glowing reviews, so please, just continue what you’re doing. That person obviously does not understand the premise of blogs.
definitely! you’re always an interesting read, susie.
oops my other comment got erased? anyway, just wanted to reinforce the consensus that you’re interesting and i love reading :o).
thank you for turning off the music and not letting _those_ constructive comments get to you. 🙂 what the person who wrote you is saying is simply bait to get attention. you have a fantastic blog, and i really enjoy your ideas and you sharing them with us. this is the entire point, and if they miss it – too bad for them.
all in all – keep on going, please! 🙂
feel a bit dumb adding another “love your blog comment”, but yeah, here it is. i dare say you have one of the best styles of anyone i know (or don’t know for that matter). i love that you update loads. sure sometimes i don’t care about a post or two, but it’s rare. and duh, it’s your blog, you can post whatever you want. also, don’t put less pictures…maybe behind a cut for those on dialup, but i think the pictures are what make your blog interesting. as is the diy photoshopping. anyways, i hope you don’t get discouraged and keep on having fun.
What an idiot!
Your blog is well written, informative and it always gives me new and interesting information. The person was so insecure and petty. Forget about him and keep doing what your doing.
I’ll echo what everyone else said – I love your blog! And I’m so sorry to hear that you got hate mail. When I’ve read “hate comments” on other blogs I like, I’ve always wondered why haters love to criticize fashion bloggers for blogging about fashion. That’s like criticizing Vogue for being all about the clothes – what’s it supposed to be about, Gummy Bears? And if it offends you so much that people love fashion, then why are you taking to time to read a fashion blog and comment on it? Whoever your hater is, he has issues, and your blog truly isn’t at the root of any of them.
So I have a question for you: if you could pick any three designers and help direct their labels, who would they be and why?
Your blog is smart and cute and chic! I also bookmarked you the first time I visited your site. The Critic is definitely threatened by you… how lame. Keep up the good stuff!
Wow…… I never knew I had so many lurkers….. your silent reading is much appreciated but your comments on this page are even more touching!
The main reason why I wanted to post about The Critic was really just to see whether there was this general consensus (or to see if this guy would dare post a comment…teeheehee….no reply yet….perhaps he’s some fashion journo with no time for my lame blog!) about what he was saying. I don’t want to be accused of taking away from what real stylists, real fashion journos etc. do because of course I’m an admirer myself! You are supposed to take my blog with a pinch of salt – no I’m not a professional, but who cares??? I’m not planning Vogue House takeoever!
Anyways…..the more of your comments came through, the more I realised it is just one hater amongst what I hope is a lovely pool of a fantastico readership and obviously I don’t expect to be loved by everyone so now that I’ve gotten that first taste of hate – I will just laugh it off in the future.
Also, Leigh – I will give your question a bit of thought with a dedicated post to it – a very very good question indeed!
It’s one out of hundreds of readers who love what you do. Don’t go changing 🙂
I luv your blog..it’s so intersting…well, it’s your blog so you can blog anything you like…ignore that idiot!
wow- what a jerk off to write that to you concerning your personal blog!!
People never cease to amaze.
Susie, I have worked as a stylist and have friends who design and do fashion illustration and paint and are fashion photographers and you have a very sophisticated youthful way about you that works fine- as to your photoshopping, I think its a fun element…and what I love- and my friends who I have shown your blog off to- is your sense of adventure and fun and love of fashion…you aren’t a snob and you write about what you like and turn us on to great sales as well…screw him I say! Who is this person to determine what is inspiring or effective?? I mean, obviously you have people hooked on your blog and that shows you do inspire and keeps us coming back.
Much luv to ya…*hugs*
Of course, as everyone says, he’s mistaken. The excellence of this blog is in its amateurish nature and its originality. It’s not glossy or slick or professional and thank god! When I read the fashion mags, I’m aware that I can’t have anything in them — and moreover, I don’t want most of that overpriced, mass market stuff. But this blog is a.) free and b.)full of stuff I can actually somehow make my own, and inspiration to be a little more creative and have a little more fun with clothes. I think you really take joy in pretty things — commercialism isn’t your cuppa tea, and you’re not swayed by the fashion “buy buy buy” culture; this reminds me all the time what style is really about: Not getting the latest It bag, but searching for treasures that beautify your life. My only complaint? You keep recommending all these great stores in London and I can’t run out to them from my apartment in Brooklyn.
Feel free to disagree, but the Internet is a big place. Nobody is forcing anyone to read anything. Besides like what you’ve mentioned, blogging is personal space on the internet. I totally have respect for your sense of quirky style and fashion’s about lifestyle and THIS blog is your lifestyle afterall. I visit your blog daily and I can’t tell you how much I love it. He is just one of the random strangers who make unqualified assumptions about you and your blog. I mean, that’s just uncalled for. I reckon you are presumably confident and secure enough in your self-concocted fabulousness to take most forms of drubbings from critics.
Do continue to feed us all with your exciting ‘findings’ *muacks*
Hello-
I really enjoy your blog, and unlike the writer of the ‘hate-mail’ I love all those outfit pictures you post with the photoshopped backrounds. I think it’s a clever idea!
Your blog is fantastic Susie, don’t worry! I love your direction of fashion, your amazing finds, your cool underground magazine scans, your heaps informative articles on hidden boutiques that otherwise I would never know about and heck, even your “bad” photoshopping skills (it gives the picture a raw feel) Many pats on the back for the good work so far!
One ‘good’ thing about this negative e mail is all the support you get from people who read your blog because they enjoy it, not to pick holes in it and make themselves feel superior. Your ‘critic’ sent an email rather than post a comment for everyone to see because they knew you’d get a flood of positive comments in response, and they’d get a load of abuse back if they dared to put their own details on it.
I bookmarked your blog the first time I read it too. Sorry if I’m repeating what others have said but I work in fashion too and it’s really refreshing to see someone doing their own thing without trying to be like a slick magazine…C
wow- I’ve only been blogging for a few months and recently received my first evil blog comment as well– I posted a lovely tribute blog in honor of a designer who passed away and described her fashion legacy –only to have the family write & threaten me for using 2 images of her (which I credited to the site) The email was sent to me on the same day I already felt down -and actually made me cry. anyway– I love your blog style and and always find it inspiring!!
Moldodolly… I’m so sorry to hear about your sob blog story…. the family must have been ultra sensitive about the death of the designer. But I don’t see how threatening ppl with legal action is justified especially since you were paying tribute to her memory!
I love your blog too btw….. you and Orchide have a wonderful style sensibility.
Sooze, i love this blog and really admire your energy and style in doing this. as you can read above, a lot of people really get something out of a visit to style bubble.
as for the haters, they can just blog off
I’m late to this, but Susie I’m sorry to hear you’ve received a nasty email! I really enjoy your blog.
i’m totally late on this, and haven’t made comments until today because i didn’t realize that i could without including my email address, but i totally have to add my voice to the choir – your blog ROCKS! you have such a unique style sensibility! and you are so CREATIVE! i used to study art, have done lots of various types of design work – and i will say, your collages are great. that’s all. only i wish i lived in london so i could take advantage of all your great ideas and tips! 🙂
hate mail? that’s ridiculous! i am another “silent reader”, and have fallen in love with your blog. i thought i knew some things about fashion… but i was overlooking the main point: individuality! your blog is inspiring and i hope you’ll keep writing! 🙂 xoxo caro.