Twitter for the Fashion Inclined: 5 Accounts You Have to Follow

Every fashion blogger worth their salt knows how important social media is, and how it helps them stay connected not just to their readers, but also to other bloggers who share the same digital space. Even though the medium is close to bursting, there are always those personalities who shine through, and manage to make their mark. Each platform is different of course, and twitter is unique because of it's micro-blogging format, but it still has its stars. Here in no particular order, are the five twitter accounts that every fashion blogger should be following:

1. Tom + Lorenzo:

Sit, bitter kittens, and listen to the wisdom that TLo has to bestow upon you. I first discovered this amazing blogger power couple during a live blog session of an episode of last season's Project Runway. I have to say, they are intense, and they are almost always right. Although, they blog about a lot of television, there is MORE than enough fashion interspersed between recaps of Downton Abbey and Revenge to keep even the most rabid fashion fiend happy. From runway shows and red carpets to full fashion editorials, TLo has an opinion on everything, and you better listen. Folow them on twitter @tomandlorenzo for updates on their latest posts, and inside reports on the various fashion shows they get to attend every season. Also, follow them live during an awards show. Laughs for days. Trust me, after a week of TLo, you will be a bitter kitten too. (PS. If you're in NY next week, go hear them speak at the IFB Conference on February 8th at Milk Studios!)

2. CollegeFashionista:

Are you in college? Do you wish you still were? Do you just want to see how people on other campuses are dressing? Then College Fashionista is for you. I'll admit I'm a little biased since I was a Style Guru for 2 years, but if you're a college-aged fashion addict, there's no reason you shouldn't be following this account. Run by CF's founder Amy, the CollegeFashionista twitter account is a great way to sift through the dozens of posts that go live every day (in over 100 campuses!) and see the very best of the best of campus street style. From east coast campuses like my very own Boston University, to warm weather campuses like Florida International University, there's enough fashion inspiration for every day of the week. Follow Amy @CFashionsita, and looks out for the monthly #fashiontalk hosted with various industry insiders.

3. Eva Chen (Beauty and Health Director at Teen Vogue):

Though, not strictly fashion, Eva's twitter feed is a fun and whimsical look into what's it's like to be an editor in the industry. From pictures of the fan mail she receives to the new manicure she's sporting, following Eva's feed definitely makes you salivate to be on the other side of the proverbial glass! Eva also routinely posts answers to questions she receives via her tumblr blog so there's tons of valuable advice to be absorbed about making it in the industry (if you're paying attention that is!) Follows Eva on twitter @evachen212 and enjoy!

4. The Beauty Department:

A recent find of mine, TBD is THE ultimate source for all things beauty related. The TBD twitter feed features links to the most recent hair, nail and makeup tutorials, as well as different styling tips. There's also a familiar face or two lurking in the twitpics! TBD is great for quick tips on how to get out of the house quickly and STILL look put together. They also feature fun new ways to experiment with your makeup. Follow TBD on twitter @TBDOfficial and pick up great manicure and makeup tips. If you're feeling frisky, head on over to their youtube page for fun video tutorials to supplement your beauty needs.

5. The Man Repeller:

If you are in fashion, (or want to be) you have heard of Leandra Medine. Even if you think you haven't, I promise you that you have. Drop crotch? That's her. Excessive layers? That's her. Arm Party? That's definitely and originally her. And if for some reason you've been under a rock for the last year and you don't know what a Man Repeller is, here's a definition. Hilarious? Yes. And her twitter feed is even more so. If you've ever had a questionable sartorial moment, Leandra's got your back. And she's probably already been there. Follow her on twitter @ManRepeller for intermittent updates on the state of man repelling and how to best accomplish it. 

*****

What about you? Which accounts do you follow to get your fashion fix? Whose updates can't you live without? Let me know in the comments below. I'm always on the prowl for more fashion inspiration in 140 character bites!

Refocusing for 2012

This year will hopefully be a year of milestones for me. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be graduating university, starting grad school, and moving to New York all before the year is up. I'm excited and hopeful, and I can't wait.

Rachel Roy sketch for The Hunger Games. I promise to be this awesome in 2012.

In addition to finally taking on adult responsibilities this year, I'm going to be trying to make some serious changes to this blog. I've been blogging for almost 3 years now, and in that time, I've learned so much about the fashion industry and about the blogosphere, and the relationship between the two. I've made mistakes, and I've learned from them, and for 2012, I'd like to be more active about defining this space in a way better matches up with my interests in the fashion industry.

In October when I was at TVFU, I got some great advice from Teen Vogue EIC, Amy Astley. She said that in writing a blog, you should try to "create what you would want to see." As a fashion blogger whose focus is photography, there are a very limited number of blogs that focus exclusively on photography that I can emulate. Most fashion/photo blogs are street style blogs, and not necessarily what I want to aspire to. So for 2012, I'm changing that. I'm rebranding, defining the new Promiscuous Lola, and dedicating myself to being more creative about narrowing my focus.

So far, I have a number of things planned. I'm excited and nervous and freaking out, but the anticipation of finally being sure of what I want this space to be is as overwhelming as it is exhilarating. So, here are my blog resolutions for 2012. Two weeks late, but just as valid!

• Refine/Rebrand/Refocus: I'd been thinking about rebranding for a while now, but I only just found the courage. So, now that I'm basically starting over this blog with a new identity, I have to spend some time refining what that means, and how drastically I will be changing direction. In changing over to the new URL, there were some glitches with the photographs. I have no idea what's happened or why, but since I haven't figured it out, I've decided to abandon the broken posts. In the next few weeks, I won't be posting anything new, just going through the archives and deleting all the broken posts. I'm going to try to salvage my more important posts, but my archives will be severely be gutted. I haz a sad now. But, at the same time, it's a new opportunity to start fresh, with all the information that I've learned about blogging and fashion in the last 2 years. We'll see where it takes me. 

• Street Style Photography: I've been saying for ages that I want to post more street style shots. Now that I have the time, the equipment and the experience, I really want to make a bigger push to develop my eye for street style. I've missed doing this for College Fashionista, and there's no reason why I shouldn't continue, even if it's just to keep my "approaching strangers and photographing them" skill nice and fresh!

• Editorial Style Writing: Over the last few years, I've written for a number of online publications in order to build my writing experience, however in the last few months, I've found that there are a number of things that I want tot write about that aren't necessarily appropriate topics for those forums. I have a lot to say about a lot of things, so where better to say them than in the space that I've cultivated for me? This year, I'd like to take more time to expand on the issues that affect me, and are important to me, and to continue developing my writing skills at the same time.

• Regular/Manageable Schedule: I've changed the posting schedule several time over the last few years, but this year, I'd like to develop one that is easy to follow even when I get overwhelmed with classes. I love this blog and my few faithful readers, and I don't want to alienate them by being unreliable. I have a number of features I'd like to retain, and a few more I'd like to introduce, so I'll be rolling them out by the beginning of February.

• 365 Challenge: I've been meaning to start a 365 challenge for a couple of years now, and I've decided that this year I'm going to DO IT! As a photographer, I should be training myself to be ready to capture any and everything around me, and I think that a 365 challenge is the best way to do that. It will force me to see the places around me in a new way, and to look for the interesting things in my environment. It will also help me train myself to always be ready to capture the things that are going on around me.

So there they are. Five, manageable goals for the new year. Here's to hoping I keep them!