Issue #9 of Style Sample magazine is here just for you! Follow two sisters as they spend a day running their clothing boutique, get ready for Fall with bullets and books you can wear, learn how to design an ad for your site, and get advice on making money with affiliate display advertising. All in addition to interviews with independent designers, photographers, illustrators, your favorite (and future favorite) bloggers, and much more!

If you’re interested in working with designers and celebrities behind the scenes, order the print edition to read the special feature fashion marketing. Spotlighting professionals from New York to Los Angeles, four entrepreneurs share their experience and expertise in the fast-paced world of fashion marketing.

[issuu layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fcolor%2Flayout.xml backgroundcolor=FFFFFF documentid=100906231344-0d0f945b30564aef97f150d7480ce7ac docname=stylesamplemag_9 username=StyleSampleMagazine loadinginfotext=Style%20Sample%20magazine%20Issue%209 showhtmllink=true tag=style width=420 height=274 unit=px]

Huge thanks to all of the wonderful contributors to this issue:

Statements in Fashion
SittinginaTree
aka Anuli
Venturess
Mademoiselle Hannah
Magpie Girl
The Scent of Obsession
Deux Fashion
FriChic
Vintage Virgin
Pretty Pleased
Fashion Rocks
Fashion Algorithms
Styliciously Social
Magnifique
Fashion Train
The Art of Accessories
In Her Stilettos
Wonder Girl
Decipher the Day
Ms. Charm’s Chic
Claudia Susana
Daisy Dayz
Cincy Chic
Guacamole & Toast
Pleasure Doing Business
5 Inch and Up
My roots, My style
ChiqueChic
Trend Alert
Meowsk
La Carmina
The Musings of Ondo Lady
Fatshion Chic
Silhouette Girl
Chic Steals
Candid Couture
Caro Marketing
FashionablyMarketing.me
Nolcha
Sense of Fashion

Now, grab your laptop, relax, and enjoy the issue!

Issue #8 of Style Sample magazine is ready to go and chock full of style: film noir-inspired fashion photography, shopping for a tropical vacation (or just hot and humid weather), colorfully subversive illustrations, packing for a stylish vacation in Madrid, and advice for hosting giveaways, in addition to independent designers, your favorite (and future favorite) bloggers, and much more!

Click to read!

Personal Styling feature

The print edition of issue #8 also includes a fantastic special feature on personal styling! Six professional stylists from LA to London share their insights, experiences, and advice regarding what it takes to make it in the business and the best way for you to get started. If you love fashion and are interested in being your own boss, it’s a must-read! You can order your copy here.

Contributors

Sincere thanks to all of the wonderful people who contributed to this issue:

Confessions of a Fashion Editor
‘Cause I’d Rather Waste My Life Pretending
Swa-Rai
Hurricane Lemonade
Shonwer
Wearable Dreams
My Little Fashion Diary
My Fashion Insider
If You Seek Style
Belgrade Flapper
Iva Messy
Time Enough for Drums
Mariel’s Castle
Style & Cigarettes
English Rose
Transient Withdrawal
Fashion Speak
Wangie
WIT & Whimsy
Polina Osherov
My Life as a Magazine
New York Design Shop
Black Milk
Candid Couture
FashionNerdic
Return to Sender
Free!Grechen
Closet Full of Nothin
Passport Glamour
Black Mary Jane
B. Jones Style
Gabrielle Teare
Amanda Skoda
Closet of Style
TopStylista

Stop by and visit everyone, follow the contributors on Twitter @StyleSample/stylesample8, then settle in and enjoy the issue!

If you’d like to contribute to Style Sample, complete the submission form.

The next issue of Style Sample magazine comes out on Tuesday, May 4th! Expect more fashion, shopping, photography, illustration, and tips and advice from your favorite established and up-and-coming bloggers!

Features in the upcoming issue include:

• A day (actually, a night!) with Topshop Visual Merchandiser Steph of Walk the Sand, complete with creating color stories, building outfits, and previewing the new makeup line.

• Fashion illustrator Brooke of Fabulous Doodles talks about the “Project Runway” nature of design school and what she’d do for Rachel Zoe.

• Shae of Everything Style talks about her transition from selling vintage wares to chronicling her adventures in the world of photography, and the “exercise” she does to improve her skills.

• Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly provides an extremely thorough instruction guide for creating a vlog (that’s a video blog for the uninitiated) and setting up your own YouTube channel, and recommends some of her favorite tools for getting the job done.

• Looking for a great place to travel? Carolina of Closet Full of Nothing and Maristella of PYT in PTY provide an insider’s introduction to the best style, shopping, and nightlife in Vancouver and Panama City, respectively. You’ll definitely want to allot some of your frequent flier miles to visiting these amazing destinations!

• Ceri of Style Eyes talks about she used her blogging and online marketing skills to start her own fashion marketing business, and offers tips on finding your own way.

Also, look for the best styles for summer sun, tips on writing professional reviews, how cover girl Shini came up with the name Park & Cube, and more!

Be sure to follow the Twitter list of contributors to keep up with everyone, and stay tuned for a chance to win a gift card to one of our favorite stores!

In the current issue of Style Sample, Ceri from Style Eyes Fashion Blog provides some valuable advice on working with public relations agencies and press reps. Here are a few more tips:

What you should expect from a PR

An individual approach

At the very least, using your name in the email is polite. You do not have to respond to mass communications that don’t address you directly.

Openness

When pitching to you or making an offer, a PR should be honest and clear in the first paragraph about exactly what they are offering.

What a PR will expect from you

Be clear on what you will accept

If you do not want to do something, say so and offer an acceptable alternative.

Be reasonable in what you request

If you have a very small readership, it is unlikely that you will get very expensive designer clothes sent to you each season. However, it would not be unreasonable to ask for collection previews and images to be sent on a regular basis.

Image: Allerina and Glen MacLarty

It’s here! Issue #6 of Style Sample magazine is packed to the brim with Spring shopping picks, an interview with two friends who started their own design business, advice on working with blog sponsors, commentary on what happens when bloggers limit or – gasp! – remove their comment sections, independent designers, fashion illustration and photography, and much more!

Thanks to all of the wonderful bloggers who contributed to this issue:

Beauty and the Budget
A Stylized Hysteria
Kansas Couture
Coop Style
Come Over to the Darkside We Have Candy
Mode-moi-selle
Glisters and Blisters
I Know What You Wore
Zanita
SORINO
Looking Sharp!
It’s On With Allegra BJ
Closet Full of Nothing
Accessory Pirate
Fashion Trend Guide
Gotham Hipster
Intrinsically Florrie
Confessions of a Fashion Editor
11:11
Nonsense on Stilettos
NIC*FISH
Stylestalker
Natural Disaster
Late Afternoon
Holier Than Now
Style Eyes Fashion Blog
Song of the Exile
Fashion for All Mankind
Give Me Platforms
Savile
TRY a Fashion Blog

Be sure to stop by and say hello to everyone, then settle in with your computer (or the print edition, available at MagCloud on March 9th if you prefer not to cuddle with electronics) and enjoy!

If you’re a fashion or style blogger and would like to contribute to Style Sample, complete the submission form.

Issue 6 of Style Sample magazine is almost here! Expect interesting articles, beautiful photos, shopping picks, and useful advice about fashion, blogging, and everything in between. The issue will be released on March 4th, but in the meantime, here’s a peek at the cover:

You can also follow the Twitter list of Issue #6 contributors and get to know everyone!

If you’d like to be a part of an upcoming issue, complete the contributor submission form.

The fifth issue (and first of the new decade) of Style Sample magazine is here!

As usual, it’s chock full of interviews with your favorite established and up-and-coming bloggers, informational articles, thoughtful commentary, the best shopping, and of course, inspiring photos–everything from an interview with fashion illustrator Nicole Jarecz to the inspiring style of cover girl Andy of Style Scrapbook to Minh-Ha’s thoughtful commentary on the influence of style bloggers. Read it now!

Big thanks to everyone (over 30 bloggers!) who contributed to this issue:

The Society of Style
Dimogonda
Sterling Style
Pink Rock Candy
Solo Lisa

Braids and Bows
Previously Owned
Nicole Jarecz Illustration
Fab Blab

Candy Kawaii Lover
Squarectomy
Kelly Talks Couture
Whit and Whimsy
Orchid Grey
La Rue Neuve
Lizzie Jeanne

Stylish Thought
I Love Martine
Stud Farm
Style Scrapbook
Fashion Lookbook

Cafe Fashionista
A Dose of Design
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Fashion Chalet
My Style Pill

Threadbared
InnyVinny
Holier Than Now
Purushu
The Mimi Manifesto
Fashion Champagne
Special thanks Anna of I Want to Wear It for coming through in an emergency!

So sit back, cuddle up in your Snuggie, and enjoy the issue!

Touted as the practical guide to getting started in the fashion industry, The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider’s Guide to Careers in the Fashion Industry is packed with useful advice into breaking into various aspects of elite fashion world. Every type of fashion-related job was represented in the book, from up-and-coming designers, stylists, and photographers to more established names like reigning fashion queen Anna Wintour, “King of Cool” Marc Jacobs, and many more.

Put together by Teen Vogue’s founding Editor-In-Chief Amy Astley (although not the book’s author), she writes in the book’s forward that she often encountered questions about breaking into fashion and decided there needed to be some sort of guide for those who wanted to make fashion a career.

“It was interesting to read that not everyone got into fashion by having it handed to them on a silver platter.”

Many stories depicted the struggles and tribulations many went through to land the job of their dreams. These kinds of stories instantly make readers feel that it’s okay to start from the ground up, but to always keep that bigger dream in mind.

Besides all the great advice and stories, there is also practical information included in the book, such as how to write a resume, dress for an interview and create a portfolio. You could definitely read the book from cover-to-cover, but I found it best to jump around, reading interesting tidbits here and there. While the book is great inspirational tool to on how to break into the industry, it shouldn’t be followed like a bible, since there’s no one way or formula into “making it.”

Personally, the best quotes were from Anna Wintour’s interview, where she touches upon how her interest in fashion began to what she looks for in an entry-level candidate who’s interviewing at Vogue.

The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider’s Guide to Careers in the Fashion Industry is available now at all book stores and on the web with a retail price of $24.95.

As Fashion bloggers we wear many hats, literally and figuratively. We’re sources of fashion inspiration, living paper dolls and sometimes life coaches it seems to the many that read our blogs. We love it and wouldn’t have it any other way. But for as much as we give to the art of blogging, sometimes it’s good to step back and reflect on what we’ve learned and taken away from the process of sharing our sartorial lives. Three amazingly talented fashion bloggers answered the question:

“In the last year what has been the biggest life lesson you’ve learned through blogging?”

Ashe Mischief of Dramatis Personae
“Firstly, a big change in my life within the last year was graduating from grad school and moving in to a profession. A large part of me is used to this semi-professional writing that took place through all of my schooling, and blogging has given me a platform to continue that in a much more focused way. Secondly, blogging has given me the ability to connect with amazing men and women who are very similar to myself. Being in a small college town is challenging, because many things make you “less than” your peers. It’s really changed my life to see that no matter where you are, how isolated you feel, blogging can really provide you with a network that keeps you from feeling so alone because you’ll always find amazing people who are similar to you.

Michelle N. of Decline Designs
“I’d definitely say the biggest life lesson I’ve learned is perseverance and patience! I am not a patient person by nature at all, and I have a tendency to get frustrated and give up sometimes as well. But with blogging you simply have to stick it out, knowing that it will get better, even though you’re not seeing any immediate results. Obviously this translates well into other areas of life (business, anyone?), so I’m glad I learned a bit more patience.”

Ashley of Breakfast at Saks
“[I've learned] to take the good with the bad. Whether that is your blog statistics, the comments people leave or your interactions with PR people. There will always be high points and low points and you just have to learn to take it all with a grain of salt. And keep your perspective because in the end it’s just a blog and you can always turn off the computer!”

Running and maintaining a blog teaches you so many valuable lessons that you can carry with you throughout your life. Whether it’s learning to have more patience or cherishing the valuable relationships you build, there is no doubt that blogging is a rewarding experience that will leave you with just as much as you give.

The “Fall in Love” editorial in issue #4 of Style Sample magazine featured great Fall fashion picks from your favorite bloggers. Here, Jenny O. of Jenny’s Open Closet talks to Fab Blab’s Arushi about what she’s in love with this Fall.

Fab Blab’s Arushi Khosla started blogging three months ago when she was inspired by other fashion blogs she loved and noticed that there weren’t a lot of Indian bloggers.

“I wanted to change the perception of people about the country and all that we’re worth. No, we’re not snake charmers and yes, we can dress well.”

Her friends don’t understand why she spends so much time on her blog, but she simply says fashion is her passion! Someday, she’d like to go into fashion marketing and be a buyer for a big store like Barneys. When she’s not blogging she enjoys reading, swimming, tennis, watching shows on the CW, and above all, spending time with friends. I had an opportunity to ask her about some of her seasonal must-have items.

What are your must-haves for this season, and how would you wear them?

Colorful tights
I definitely want to incorporate some colorful tights a la Kate Spade in my wardrobe. With red tights I would wear a high waist mini-skirt in navy or black, a dark blazer, and a white/cream ruffled blouse. If it’s more casual, I’ll wear a plain white tee or tank with a few loosely draped necklaces, and blue suede pumps I got at an awesome sale.

Acid washed jeans
Acid washed jeans are to be worn to a completely different venue–maybe a concert or just hitting up Hard Rock Cafe with a few friends. I’d wear them with a black graphic top and sky high gladiator heels or black ankle boots. I’d probably do heavy kohl eye make-up and nude lips.

Flat boots
Flat boots are so versatile and can be worn anywhere. You don’t really need an occasion depending upon their height, of course. Knee high ones would be worn with pale jeans (because I want brown boots) and a blouse cinched with a belt, and lower ones with a floral, summery dress.

Don’t miss any of Arushi’s fabulousness at http://fabblab.blogspot.com!

By Jenny Ortakales About the author: I love going thrifting to add variety and uniqueness to my wardrobe without having to spend much. My blog is all about being fashionable no matter what obstacle is put in your way. Visit Jenny online at http://jennysopencloset.blogspot.com/ and follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/fashionistagal1.

Welcome to the October/November issue of Style Sample! Get ready for 24 pages packed with fun interviews, gorgeous photos, helpful how-tos, and more!

Be sure to visit all of the wonderful bloggers who contributed to this issue–all links in the publication are active, so you can click and explore as you read!

If you prefer to flip through the glossy pages in person, print copies will be available on October 13th.

Hanna of Oh, honey. No talks to boutique owner, designer and a stylist Mimi of BrookandLyn boutique.

Click on over to see all the contributors to issue #4 of Style Sample Magazine, and remember it will be available on this site on October 6th!

It’s almost the end of the month, and Style Sample Magazine editors and contributors have been hard at work on Issue #4, out on October 6th! You can look forward to your favorite returning features like Blogs to Watch, Emerging Designer, and Day in the Life, as well as some exciting new ones.

Here’s the deal: We get so many submissions from great bloggers with great blogs, but haven’t really been able to fit them into the regular features currently in the magazine. So…we came up with some new ones! The upcoming issue will include three new features:

Point of View, where bloggers from different cities talk about style in their city, from their point of view–the best boutiques, local designers, places to be seen, and other unique aspects of their area.

Fashion is Art explores the more artistic side of fashion and focuses on fellow bloggers who combine style and art through illustration, painting, graphics, and other creative endeavors.

Singular Style highlights one blogger with exceptional style and provides insight into their thoughts with a fun–and sometimes revealing–Q&A.

Our goal is to recognize bloggers doing great things and create opportunities for everyone, so if you have news to share with the fashion blogging community or would like to contribute to a future issue, be sure to contact us.

Whew! There’s still a lot of work to do, but we hope to make this issue of Style Sample Magazine the best yet! More insider updates are coming soon, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss anything…

Let’s talk about how to pitch an article to real life magazines.
Why is this important? Well, you could be the next Anna Wintour, but it isn’t going to matter one bit if you don’t know how to present your ideas to a legitimate publication. However, once you learn how to share your ideas professionally, you may find yourself snagging freelance jobs left & right! Let’s get started:

Explain what makes YOU special
Tell them a little about yourself: why are you an investment for the magazine, what do you have to offer? Include your résumé, relevant qualifications, or why you think you’d make a fabulous addition to their writing team. But keep it professional and simple—leave out your personal life.

Know the publication
Double check that the subject matter you’ve chosen for your article falls inside the general theme of the magazine. Dog Fancy isn’t going to care about your take on Miu Miu’s Fall 2009 Ready-To-Wear, so use some common sense. Read previous issues to get a feel for the type of content and writing style preferred.

Create your pitch
Share your idea and clearly state why their magazine’s target audience would want to read your article. Include a short & concise description of what your article would be addressing, and attach your piece in it’s entirety if the publication encourages it. Make sure you send your pitch in the appropriate format–some editors prefer Word or PDF, while some are okay with including it in the body of the email.

For good measure, attach a writing portfolio, or a document including snippets of your best writing, any published articles, and your contact information. Be sure to proofread and re-check for spelling and grammar!

Send it to the appropriate person
Make sure that you’re sending your pitch to the right person—as brilliant as your article may be, the director of advertising isn’t going to help you get anywhere! Check out the publication’s masthead or online contact page to get an idea of the best person (or department) to send your idea.

You’re done! Press send, and if all goes well, you could be published!

For more information, visit FreelanceSwitch.com’s ‘The Ultimate Article Pitch’, or How to Pitch a Magazine on eHow.com. Many magazines also contain information about submissions on their Contact page. Good luck!

Welcome to the August/September issue! Click and you’ll find 20 pages packed to the brim with inspiring photos, fashionable finds, profiles of your favorite bloggers (and some you may not know, but trust me, you’ll love), helpful tips and advice, and more!

Be sure to stop by and say hello to the wonderful bloggers who contributed to this issue:
Ophelia Ford
Custom Fashion Deliveries
Secretista
Fashion Mind
Fab Unfunded
Debutante Clothing
Shop, Eat, and Sleep
Mademoiselle Robot
Decline Designs
Miss Malaprop
Dramatis Personae
Cha Cha
Self Indulgent Fashion
Wendy Brandes
Natural Disaster
Where Did U Get That?
I Want to Wear It
Ssasy Chic
CIAA Afrique
Marie-Louise’s Pulse
Futurelint
Vintage Petite

You probably already know this, but if you’re a fashion blogger, you can contribute, too! Everyone in every issue–writers, editors, features, me–has a style blog.

So get cozy with your computer* and sit back, relax, and enjoy.

*Or, if you prefer, order a print copy at MagCloud.com (available August 10th) and get cozy with that instead.

Here’s more insider info about what’s coming in issue #3 of Style Sample Magazine:

Behind the Scenes
The extremely fashionable Nini of Nini’s Style takes us on a crazily creative ride.

Tips & Advice
Ssasy Chic‘s Crystal gives us some tips on blog monetization using affiliate advertising.

Trends
Ashe Mischief of Dramatis Personae (you know Ashe from the premiere issue) compiles the hottest trends in the blogosphere from some of your favorite bloggers.

Emerging Designer
Cha Cha Lifestyle‘s Lori talks to Catherine of Self Indulgent Fashion about the inspiration for her supple handmade leather bags.

Here’s a peek at some of the wonderful bloggers contributing to Issue #3 of Style Sample Magazine:

Blogs to Watch
Dubliner Zohra of Ophelia Ford, Teen Vogue intern Dara of Secretista, St. Petersburg resident Nataly of FashionMind, and the adorable Maria Simona of Custom Fashion Deliveries.

Blogger with a Business
Writer Kathleen Flood of Natural Disaster interviews wickedly humorous jewelry designer Wendy Brandes.

Feature
Issue #3 cover girl Karen of Where Did U Get That? talks to Anna of I Want to Wear It about her inspirational style.

How-to
Michelle of Decline Designs shows us how to create a blog theme with Artisteer.

Keep watching for more information about the upcoming issue!

In the current issue of Style Sample Magazine, Sarah of Looking Sharp! interviews Crosby Noricks, the brains behind PR Couture.

If you’re interested in learning more about fashion PR (and really, who isn’t?), Crosby also conducts interviews with key industry players on her Blog Talk Radio series. Check them out at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/prcouture