Changes afoot for Grey Fox - The Guardian Fashion Bloggers Network

Last year, The Guardian newspaper invited applications for a new Fashion Bloggers Network. The paper was keen to attract under-represented views, which may explain why Grey Fox, representing the largely-ignored older man in the world of fashion, was selected from hundreds of applicants to join seven other talented style bloggers. The Network is launched next month (June) after introductory posts from the bloggers over the next few days.

This will mean that I will be writing for two blogs, which doesn't daunt me. There will be some duplication between them to start with, so forgive me if you recognise any reconstituted posts. This is to launch the Guardian blogs with as much material as possible.

Grey Fox proofreads his latest post on The Guardian Fashion Bloggers' Network. (Image - The Guardian)

Why have I done this?

1. Blogging on a national newspaper will, hopefully, bring more readers to Grey Fox.

2. I'd like this increased readership to throw open more opportunities for the blog. A higher profile would enable me to work with brands who would like to see their products used by the 40 year-old-plus man. I am brimming with ideas and would love to work with such forward-thinking businesses. 

3. This may sound self-important - and I apologise if it does, but I'd love to be in a better position to persuade older men to experiment with dressing with more style and originality. Being on The Guardian may allow the blog to be more influential. Older men represent a large and affluent demographic and, if we thumped the table more, could ensure that a youth-obsessed fashion industry would take more notice.

4. The newspaper will be selling advertising space on the blogs and we will have a share in this. As much as I enjoy blogging, it's an inevitable fact of life that most companies and PR businesses expect bloggers to provide publicity without (usually) offering anything in exchange. [edit: I should also mention that, on the other hand, there are many young businesses which offer  really exciting, often British-made products, who can't afford publicity anyway - and I'd like to be able to offer them a platform without expecting anything in return].

Running a blog like this costs me in terms of travel and other expenses. I'd also like to be able to keep my wardrobe reasonably stocked. I hope that The Guardian blog will help allay these outgoings. I will not be making a living from this - it is an enjoyable hobby.

4. I'm determined to keep my blogs independent so that I can review and comment without being in anyone's pocket. Recovering my costs will give me freedom from advertisers and sponsors.

5. Talking of independence, The Guardian is giving us editorial freedom - these are our blogs and they are not edited by the paper.

6. The comments section of The Guardian is well-developed and I would like to be able to have a better dialogue with readers.

For more on The Guardian website, see here.

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