Online Scuffle: Fashionista vs. WWD

Today, blog Fashionista (specifically, poster Faran Krentcil) posted an open letter to WWD, requesting the fashion trade to give it credit when it breaks stories. The post is packaged in the blog's signature xoxo fashion. Below, check it:

"Dear WWD, We love you, and respect you, and can't wake up without you. But when you read a piece of important information on our site, or when we email you news stories we've broken, it would be great if you could credit us. We know you mean us when you say, "Our Sources," but not everyone else does. We don't mean any disrespect, but you're not the only one who breaks news anymore. xoxo, Fashionista"

In response, WWD (or someone posing as WWD) writes:

"Dear Fashionista, We meh you, and eh you, and can and do wake up without you. But when you read a piece of important information from our publication, it would be great if you didn't simply republish said information verbatim. We know you mean "WWD" in the by-credit when you say, "Natalie" or "Britt" or "Bret" but not everyone else does. We don't mean any disrespect, but you don't break any news anymore. xoxo WWD"

The debate continues via commenters on the post, some who "heart" Fashionista, and others who think the letter is "distasteful" and "unprofessional." The problem with the whole situation is that, like we can't say for certain whether this was actually WWD responding, in general, it's difficult to prove that some person or entity got information from any one source, unless a) they credit you or b) they tell you and don't credit you. There is a reticence for traditional media to credit blogs (though it does happen sometimes), and one of the commenters on Fashionista pointed everyone to a recent Salon opinion piece on this issue, and we'd like to give said commenter credit for that. We have to say, when traditional media credits us we're always :)
· Open Letter to WWD [Fashionista]For more stories from Racked LA, go to la.racked.com.

Copyright RACKL
Contact Us