Member Interview with Hannah White
Hannah White is the editor of Fashion Monitor - the leading provider of contacts, news and events within the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries.
We catch up with Hannah for an exclusive interview to talk about how Fashion Monitor can help members, its key offerings and Hannah's plans for the future.
1. Fashion Monitor is must-use tool for fashion businesses. What are all the different functions and how can a business leverage them to their full extent?
Fashion Monitor was launched back in 1989 and the service has changed so much over the years, we now also focus on beauty content as well as fashion and therefore are a must-use tool for both fashion and beauty. There are 3 core sections to Fashion Monitor; Contacts, News and Events.
Primarily Fashion Monitor is a hub for all of the industry contacts that you may need, we house all of the media contacts, PRs, brands, creatives, freelancers and bloggers details so that you have everything you need at your finger tips. We now also publish US and international contacts on the site as well and all of our clients have access to both the UK and international content.
The daily news supports the contacts side of the site highlighting the movers and shakers in the industry, latest launches, openings and account wins – our news section is free to use and you can sign up to the daily news bulletin on the site to receive everything to your inbox to enjoy over your morning coffee.
Finally we provide a forward planning calendar of events for the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries this includes press days, parties, launches, openings, trade shows and very importantly show schedules for the main 4 fashion weeks! The events schedule is the perfect way to plan your calendar avoid clashes for your own events and attend events that may be of interest to you. All in all Fashion Monitor is your one stop shop for everything fashion and beauty and a must have for anyone in the industry.
Another main feature for Fashion Monitor subscribers and non-subscribers is our Jobs Page. Over the last year Fashion Monitor has become the premier destination for fashion and beauty jobs and is widely recognised by job seekers and employers alike. Keep an eye out on the site and Twitter for the latest vacancies, you never know when your dream position could pop up.
2. How long have you been at the helm of Fashion Monitor, what have you changed or updated and what legacy would you like to leave?
I have been with the company since October 2008 (this fact scares me a little as time is moving way too fast!). In May 2011 I was appointed as Editor of the product and now look after a team of 10 amazing girls. Since I have taken over we have put huge efforts into the US side of the company, we will be launching Fashion Monitor in the US during 2012 and there are lots of big things to come including an iPhone app. Another main aim of mine was to enhance our beauty section, Shanina McLeod is now our beauty writer and the site has been transformed into a hub for the beauty industry as well as fashion. I would like to leave the legacy that Fashion Monitor has gone international and is a must have resource worldwide keeping the industry in touch and up-to-date with everything fashion and beauty.
3. What are your plans for Fashion Week? Will you be going to all the ‘Big Four’?
Fashion Week is a huge deal for us in the Fashion Monitor office. Next season for the first time I will be in New York for fashion week, spreading the Fashion Monitor word stateside – so look out for me there. I will fly straight back into the thick of LFW and will join the team for all of the shows, parties and presentations throughout the week. We aim to attend all of the events taking place during LFW, tweeting as we go, it is also the perfect place to meet other industry professionals and catch up over a Lavazza coffee! We also hold our International Reception for press and buyers with Vauxhall Fashion Scout, directed by Industry member Martyn Roberts, during LFW at the Freemason’s Hall and this will take place Sunday February 19. Following on from London we will have all of the Milan shows listed on Fashion Monitor and will be reporting the international fashion news. Finally the team will descend on Paris for the last of the ‘Big Four’. Paris is a complete highlight in my fashion calendar. I love the atmosphere and mood surrounding PFW and I find it is the perfect opportunity to catch up with fellow ‘Brits in Paris’ as well as international contacts in town for the big shows. Roll on A/W12!
Get in touch with Hannah via The Industry Directory and follow Fashion Monitor on Twitter: @Fashion_Monitor
