There’s a new social platform coming to you soon just for launching merchandise online: Dro.pt. This platform enables you to reach retail buyers, bloggers, consumers and stylists through interactive lookbooks shared publicly and privately.

Within the interactive lookbook, users can buy merchandise or click ‘want’ if the merchandise is not yet available. The ‘want’ function is particularly interesting as users are notified the moment it’s in stock.

Right now, they’re in alpha testing and you can request an invite to test. Who knows — they might take a similar approach to Pinterest and keep things in beta while they’re blowing up.

A handful of brands are testing Dro.pt this week and we'll release to a few more next week. If you want to be one, let us know.—
Dropt (@JustDropt) April 04, 2012

And check them out on Spotify…

New music for spring. Check out our Dro.pt April Playlist via @spotify spoti.fi/HGjbsi—
Dropt (@JustDropt) April 03, 2012

Watch Tory speak at the WWD CEO Summit on her company’s use of social media. Her talk is about the impact of social media on telling the Tory Burch brand story and connecting with and creating an engaged community. Enjoy!

So, are you a fan of this trend? Check out my picks below and tell me what you think!

Photo Credit: Fashionology

(Flickr: See-ming Lee)

Recently, you may have seen all the social chatter about the efforts of Change.org members behind the Clean Clothes Campaign. I started to recognize these efforts last month when I caught wind of the same story on Vogue.com regarding Versace’s commitment to banning the practice of sandblasting jeans, a technique used to give jeans a used look which is highly dangerous to workers, after Change.org members posted to their Facebook Wall.

Just last week, the Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana’s Facebook Wall was also bombarded by Change.org members’ messages demanding that the company ban sandblasting. According to Change.com, this move comes after more than 25,000 European and American activists joined a campaign on Change.org demanding that the company ban sandblasting.

“The technique, already banned in Europe, is reportedly still carried out in key garment-producing countries like Bangladesh and Turkey and can result in workers developing the irreversible lung disease silicosis,” reports Vogue.com.

Although this group used the written word to protest, Dolce & Gabbana deleted posts on its Facebook Wall after Change.org members posted messages demanding the company ban sandblasting.

A number of major brands, such as Levi’s, H&M, C&A, Gucci, and most recently Versace, have already abolished sandblasted jeans in their collections. Much like the recent Dolce & Gabbana efforts, the Clean Clothes Campaign forced Versace to lock it to the public after accusing them of using the procedure. The Italian fashion house eventually agreed to the group’s demands, going so far as to say that any supplier found to be employing sandblasting as a production technique would be in breach of contract with Versace.

“The Clean Clothes Campaign has now launched an impressive social media campaign and recruited tens of thousands of supporters from all over the world to demand that Dolce & Gabbana follow in the footsteps of their competitors and ban sandblasting,” said Change.org Organizer Meredith Slater. “Change.org is about empowering anyone, anywhere to demand action on the issues that matter to them, and it has been an honor to provide a platform for the Clean Clothes Campaign’s inspiring campaigns.”

In my opinion, expressing ones opinions through the written word is the best way to create change. However, Facebook Walls and other forums are now very similar to physical venues. Fashion labels and brands use Facebook to create the same feel as if the user were a customer in their physical store.

If people were to barge through the doors and begin protesting or squatting, do you think this might be considered disturbing the peace? Could this translate as similar activity on a Facebook Wall? What are your thoughts on moderating conversations online?

If you’re an intern or looking to start your summer internship soon, then check out the newest blog just for you! Intern Chic provides fashion interns with advice and news to increase their knowledge of the fashion industry specifically tailored to those just starting out. Unlike websites that only provide fashion internship listings, Intern Chic uniquely offers much more.

Intern Chic is divide into a few sections. Tip Dujour features weekly fashion internship advice from site creator Ashli Townsend. The List is a compilation of mini-profiles on fashion industry elite, complete with name pronunciations and Chic Facts. The Chic Calendar keeps interns in the know with the hottest fashion events of the year and Chic Listings showcases the latest fashion internship job opportunities.

Then, there’s Chic Speak, which is a dictionary filled with stylish terms necessary to speak the language of fashion. Intern Chat allows interns to connect and discuss past, current and future internships. The Trends section keeps interns up to date on the latest from the runways. Finally, Style Daily serves as the site’s fashion news blog.

About the Founder

Intern Chic was created and founded by “professional intern” and Los Angeles native, Ashli Townsend (@fashionablyL8). Ashli has completed a variety of internships, including Mattel’s Barbie Design Department, Baby Phat’s Design Department, as well as at a host of notable fashion PR firms. She ultimately decided to share the knowledge she gained while interning with the masses via Intern Chic.

Ashli says Intern Chic was created with fashion interns in mind, but benefits anyone striving to stay in the know with the fashion industry.

(Photo Credit: Bailey Harada Stone)

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of connecting with model Cameron Lee at Fashion’s Night Out. And after hitting it off, I thought it would be fun to share his story with Consuming PR readers! Check out this Q&A below to learn more about Cameron including his most memorable moment, advice for aspiring models and his take on social media in the fashion industry. Enjoy!

Q. What are your favorite designers?

A. Favorite designers are Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Levi’s, Betsey Johnson, Versace, Hugo Boss. Also the many local designers like Estrella Tadeo who owns The Mission Statement, a store which houses many old and new native Bay Area designers’ collections.

Q. When did you know you wanted to pursue modeling?

A. I knew that I had an interest in fashion from when I was very young. I became more aware of my appreciation for the idea as I started getting older and was unable to explore it as much as I had wanted because, of my upbringing in a small rural town in southern Wisconsin. It wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco and was trying to figure out how to create some extra income that I actually considered modeling. I replied to a post on Craigslist for a student photographer to see if I would even get a response. I did, and everything has kinda snowballed from there, through networking and collaborating with local photographers, stylist, hair and makeup artists and anyone in between. I have been enjoying every minute of it!

Q. What’s been your most memorable moment so far?

A. I’ve been modeling for more than a year now. My most memorable moment so far is when I was asked to be model for an iStockphoto convention and paired with a female model for a “live” photo shoot where photographers could practice directing. Needless to say, we had to work with a room full of photographers, creative directors and observers. I’ve never had to go through so many emotions in four hours! While it was an amazing learning experience, I now have much more sympathy for caged zoo animals on display. Ha.

Q. How do you think social media will change the modeling industry?

A. I’m amazed at how technology has made our world smaller. People are more connected than ever and it’s allowing people to branch out and communicate with other like-minded people.

Social media allows for people to take control and promote themselves and others without the pressure of outside sources; allowing for more creative control and also the added benefit of immediate response. I definitely feel that social media has enabled me to network and keep in contact with friends/clients much easier than if it never existed. The time is now, so I’m taking advantage of it for all it’s worth!

We are able to follow the lives and endeavors of individuals we may not know, have known or met through social media like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc. Hopefully, I’ve inspired those in my social network to take the chance and become who they want to be by following their dreams.

Q. What is your long term goal in modeling?

A. I have several goals in mind for my future in modeling. My long term goal in modeling is to be published by big name designers.

For now, my short term goal is to network and collaborate with creative individuals who can help teach me more about the industry and possibly help me become a fashion photographer. Hopefully start doing projects that incorporate acting.

Also, I want to have fun! This is my chance to do something that I can show my kids one day — to let them know that I tried something that is hard and that people usually think of as only a dream.

I went to school to pursue a career in art. After years working jobs that seemed to offer not much more than financial stability, I now want to take the time to pursue something creative and that keeps my imagination going. It’s therapeutic for me.

Q. Do have any advice for aspiring models?

A. Never let anyone say you are incapable. I believe in being in control of your own destiny. It was soon after moving to San Francisco that, on my way out of my apartment one morning, I noticed a BMW smashed into the wall right next to the entrance of my apartment building. Life is too short. If I would have walked out of my house at the wrong time, I could have been pinned between the brick and a luxury vehicle.

There will always be people in the world telling you that you’re incapable, but I also believe that there are just as many people who will believe in your abilities.

For more information on booking, check out Look Model Agency. And, for creative collaborations, find Cameron on Model Mayhem.

Slideshow Photo Credit: Nicky Nylon, Bailey Harada Stone, William Perls, digitalHe-Robin Bourbonnais, Jonne C. Johnson

This  Spring   2011,   A|X   will   launch   A|X   STYLEPAD   –   a   multimedia,   interactive   create- your- own   ad   app   that   gives   exclusive  access  to  the  world  of  A|X  Armani  Exchange.  The  A|X  STYLEPAD  app  will  give  iPhone  and   iPad  users  creative  control  to  design  “their  A|X”,  selecting  the  background,  casting  the  model  from  supplied  images,   and   add   a   personalized   message   by   writing   text   over   the   image   to   create   a   one- of- kind   ad   to   save   or   share   with   friends  on  social  networks.

The   A|X   STYLEPAD  also launches the same year as  A|X  Armani  Exchange  20th  Anniversary.  Giorgio  Armani marks  this  significant  milestone   with   special   seasonal   capsule   collections,   a   series   of   global   events,   exclusive   brand   application   –   A|X   STYLEPAD,  and  a  commemorative  brandmark  of  its  iconic  logo.

A|X  STYLEPAD  feature  will  be  housed  on  the  A|X  Mobile  site  that  will  feature  an  exclusive  A|X  20  Years  of  Style   global  branded  content.  Highlights  will  include  special  A|X  Limited  Edition  Collection  preview,  exclusive  A|X  video,   access  to  the  A|X  Life  section  for  events,  trends,  music,  and  brand  news.

Additional  exposure includes marketing  elements  via  the  A|X  blog,  A|X  social  networks,  A|X  YouTube,  A|X  in- store  promotions,  A|X  text  mobile   marketing,  and  press  materials  covering  this  digital  media  endeavor. With  the  A|X  STYLEPAD  application,  Armani  Exchange  brings  together  three elements:  exclusive  content,   online   entertainment,   and   social   networking . Are you planning on downloading this application?

Currently, both the Chanel app and the Style.com app are on my phone so I can view the latest fashion shows whenever and wherever I may be. The A|X  STYLEPAD  might just join those two. What other fashion apps do you currently use and why?

As many of you have seen by now, Macy’s has kicked off their new in-store QR codes with their Macy’s Backstage Pass campaign. A new mobile consumer initiative, Macy’s Backstage Passes are customized QR codes that deliver video content featuring Macy’s celebrity designers and fashion authorities.

Macy’s videos offer essential tips, trend information and behind-the-scenes looks at collections that will help customers in-store learn more about the brands/designs as they shop. Designers participating include makeup maven Bobbi Brown, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Greg Norman for Tasso Elba, Rachel Roy, Irena Shabayeva for I.N.C., and a host of the nation’s most influential fashion bloggers for Macy’s newest exclusive collection, bar III. Additionally, the campaign will feature content by Martha Stewart and Madonna’s Material Girl in videos.

Many businesses have recently folded QR codes into their social media campaigns and this emerging technology in the U.S. is becoming a very popular must-have with retailers. What are your thoughts on this campaign and the future of QR codes? Do you think they are here to stay?

Want a taste of this before you go into Macy’s and try it out in stores? Check out more on Macy’s efforts in-stores now and atwww.macys.com/findyourmagic. And, for a quick demonstration, just scan the red star code below using a QR code reader on your smart phone and your device will do the rest. You can either scan your computer screen or print the code to scan. Special tip: If you don’t have a QR code reader on your smart phone or video-enabled device, just text “reader” to MACYS (62297) to receive a free QR reader download.

This Backstage Pass below features a quick fashion tip from renowned designer Rachel Roy. Her Backstage Pass codes can be found in-store within Rachel Rachel Roy shops at Macy’s.