I recently discovered an online social networking website that facilitates offline group meetings with common interests in various locations around the world. Upon exploring this site, I saw a meetup for Polyvore, in New York City. I am always game to motor to the Big Apple for fun, exploration and the opportunity to see my daughter.
Social media sites are a funny thing. I seem to have outgrown my fascination with locating childhood friends on Facebook. But, I am still engaged with Pinterest, another online community where users can save images and categorize them on different boards. I am always ready to organize anything so Pinterest allows you keep ideas, projects, travel or whatever you deem important organized.
Now Polyvore is my main social community that has held my attention for the last nine months. Polyvore, funny name, huh? Poly means different and vore means people. Polyvore is the web’s largest fashion community site, where users are empowered to discover their style style and set trends around the world. I might note that Polyvore is the 7th largest e-commerce site, companies advertise as well as sell products on the site. So one month ago, I decided to meet up with other Polyvore members for a day in New York City as organized by one particular member.
Just to get an idea how big Polyvore is, note the following:
- Polyvore’s global community has created over 44 million sets that are shared across the web
- There are active Polyvore communities around fashion, interior design and artistic expression
- As of August 2012, Polyvore has over 17 million monthly unique visitors.
- Polyvore was launched February 1, 2007
It was great meeting others with similar interests. I loved learning everyone’s story of how they are working the social media opportunities to utilize their creativity as well as invent new ways of making income for themselves.
After my daughter made sure that I made it to the correct meeting place, though the ladies at the meet up thought I was dropping off my daughter. It was a pleasure to see women of a certain age as well as younger women.
Our day went a little something like this:
10:45 AM: Meet Polyvore Meetup organizer and other “Pollies” attending Meetup
11:00 AM: Meet Handbag designer, Monica Botkier at her showroom
Monica Bokier, former fashion photographer turned handbag designer since 2007. She is known for the classic Trigger bag which became a cult classic for the brand. Monica was recognized for her contributions to the accessories industry by being recognized as a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
1:00 PM: Lunch at Bryant Park
It was a perfect day for lunch at Bryant Park, my only recollection of Bryant Park is from Good Morning America’s Friday concerts. The Meetup allowed for up close and personal experience.
2:00 PM: South Brooklyn to meet milliner, Tracy Watts
Tracy Watts, an artist and mould maker for handmade hats. Tracy studied at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.Tracy has been designing, manufacturing and distributing a full contemporary line of women’s and men’s designer hats from her studio and showroom in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York since 1993. It’s great that Tracy’s products are made right here in USA.
“All of our hats are designed, steam-molded over vintage blocks, and made by hand in our Brooklyn studio,” Tracy Watts said.
6:00 PM Dinner with Polyvore Meetup New York organizer and another “Pollie”
It was a wonderful day to share Polyvore experiences. I was so inspired by the Polyvore Meetup in New York City that I am planning a Meetup at the King of Prussia Mall on Friday, September 19th, so stay tuned!
