Where Do the Fashion Bloggers Stand in Pakistan
Fashion Blogging is something that not many people do, at least here in Pakistan. People are just starting out with it. We do have very established bloggers here and they certainly have made a name for themselves. But, where they fall short is that with the slow incorporation of technology all over our country, the fashion bloggers are merely doing it as a hobby, whereas internationally, bloggers have carved a name for themselves by guest editing big magazines or editing the (dot)com versions of those magazines. Brands realize the worth of bloggers, editors know where bloggers stand, their power and the words they say have an impact. Whereas in Pakistan, it's all about stating how incompetent bloggers are if they demand more, or are actually saying something that opposes the normal point of view.
In Pakistan, things are changing. Surely, brands are recognizing the power bloggers have (I know for a fact that the brands I instagram about and write about, at least 5 people end up buying the thing I talk about within that week), and are asking them to write about them or make it to fashion weeks. Brands know people listen to the bloggers. But that is it. Fashion Blogging in Pakistan is merely a hobby. And I am sad to say, it doesn't pay. It doesn't pay anything. Bloggers spend the same amount of time on a blog post that they do on their job, and the result is never what it should be. It may take time to get to a level where bloggers are given what they are worth, but there's so much happening, and so slow, that it might take years till brands realize that bloggers matter.
Another thing; most of fashion bloggers are working individuals or students. They do it because they like it. If the brands want to work with them, they need to realize that bloggers have a life beyond their web pages, and when you ask them to write about your brand, please acknowledge the fact that it takes at least 5 hours to write a blog post, and with this inflated zone of life that we live in, bloggers sacrifice a lot to pen/type down what you expect of them. Give them credit where it's due. That said, there are PR companies that are an amazing people to work with. They know where fashion bloggers stand and will adjust accordingly. While some will just harass the bloggers till the blogger will just write a pathetic post in a hurry.
What brands also need to realize is that not every review can be good. Bloggers need to be honest about what they think and who they are. That is how they leave a mark, and that is how credibility is developed. Blogging is not just blogging, it is a step towards the future of media. It is the future of magazines, of brands, of companies. But too bad that in Pakistan it's taking people so long to realize that. In short, Fashion Bloggers in Pakistan are starting to rise, but their rise is not being acknowledged as well as it should. They are a talented batch that the people need to be acquainted with. And they should be treated according to their worth. They have an opinion, and that should be respected.
With so much knowledge at our hand, we know more than our elders ever did, but we still need them to show us "how to carve or own way". Our elders might find it hard to digest and adjust to this new lifestyle, but that is how things will be in the future, but only if they let it. We, as a generation, need to be given a chance to show us our worth. It might seem very idealistic to want cooperation between the two people, but it is possible. Our industry is already a struggling industry and in it's budding phase. The new people should be given space accordingly. That is the only way the fashion industry will grow, and grow strong.
*This post is, in no way, an offense towards the generous brands and PR companies that took a chance on me. I was just stating an observation of mine that I made while looking at other bloggers.
P.S. After showing it to a friend, he pointed out that my post is actually just an emotional version of Samra Muslim's blog post here.