Showcase: A life in New Balance
When my friends New Balance got in touch about helping to celebrate the remake of their classic style icon - the 574 Sport sneakers - it got me thinking about the balance my life is in currently. From where I've been on this fashion blog journey, where I'm at now, to what's next. It's an evolution.
I suppose when I first had that deep yearning to give my fashion blogging a real shot, I knew it was very likely I couldn't do it full time...forever. But I also knew the more important reality - that the best way to get my platform up and running to a level I'd be happy with, it'd require and deserve my sole focus. And a fair chunk of motivation.
I hit my six-month blog anniversary at the end of last month and in the back of my mind this was the potential short-term ‘passion vacation’ I allowed myself to reach that pivotal goal of establishing a blog that I'm proud to have built, and as equally important being a source of inspiration and real value to followers and brands that I've collaborated with. Building a platform, producing content, networking, building relationships, finding opportunities isn't a walk in the park. It takes patience, practice and a shit load of learning what to do better next time. The best thing you can do is be honest, inquisitive, helpful and open to doing new things and ways of working.
Like all those creatives out there who have the dream to turn their passions or projects into careers and financially viable options, it comes with great difficulty. Blogging or more appropriately labelled content production isn't prone to the same financial pressures. While launching something like a fashion platform isn't driven by monetary reasons, if it's going to be your thing, your only thing then earning money is part of your reality. It's always a funny conversation telling people you're a blogger, blogging full time. Many people are automatically intrigued by how one monetizes it. The answers to that question is enough for a whole blog post on its own, but you've got to sell the value of yourself, your brand and the quality of content and audience that follows you.
So with half a year down, a volume of content I'm extremely proud of, it's time for me to try on a fresh & new, but familiar pair of sneakers to get me moving back in the advertising game. A large chunk of me has missed the incredible culture, the melting pot of creativity and superstar people that work in this inspiring industry. I'm guessing I won't be able to wear my pjs every day while working now. That's one down side.
In order for this blog to be sustainable, my life has to be sustainable. Going back to advertising isn't me giving up on this fashion dream, infact what it's actually doing is allowing me to continue the passion. It's about going back to a career I love, and being surrounded by like minded people who work hard every day to strive to make engaging, thought-provoking creative. I'll be juggling the needs and demands of a full service advertising agency and growing my little humble blog so it can keep making its mark on the men's fashion scene here in New Zealand.
Much like the next chapter for me, my blog and my Mad Man career the fresh new line up of 574S kicks is the next step for the iconic 574 range. The 574 Sport collection delivers to their historical street credentials, but with a modern update through a contemporary design supported by fresh foam midsole and premium materials.
They're so slick and comfortable I ended up stopping by Platypus on Queen St to grab a pair of the limited editions which are the white/red/black colourways above. New Balance are on the money with this new silhouette of the classic and they're selling out fast so I'd jump on them smartly.
NB 247 Bomber Jacket - Black $150
NB Athletics Knit Pant - Grey $100
These awesome shots have been captured and edited by local fashion photographer Tori Hayley. If you haven't already come across her, check out her work, she's a real talent and you'll be seeing plenty more of her work across my platform and out there in the fashion world.
As always, Holly and I have a lot of laughs when we collaborate, so make sure you see what she's up to on her blog, and gram and give her a follow.
A big shout out to New Balance for getting Holly Estelle and myself in their swish new drop of lifestyle wear.