E-commerce and Private Clubs online

I don't know about you but I'm getting pretty tired of web marketing ads arriving to my e-mail.
Of 2 e-mails I receive from family and friends I receive a gazillion more from private clubs, e-commerce websites and so on... Don't get me wrong, I'm not against private clubs or e-commerce, it's just that they are too invasive from where I see it. For example, I am already a member of a huge number of this clubs. I've really seen them all, from Secret sales, Cocosa, Private Outlet, Rue lalala, Geelbe, BuyVip, Brands4friends, Saldi Privati, Vente Privee... AND YET;
I periodically receive messages on the inbox of the same account I already use as a member of their club, to join! I don't get it.
But then again, maybe I'm just having a moment.
My favorite from this clubs is really Ruelala. This private outlet club is US made and always has the best deals, from the best brands... I wish I could buy from them, but unfortunately I'm too far... Then comes french made Private Outlet.
I really like this site, since their offers are always varied and unconventional. Besides working with well-known brands, they also suggest up-and-coming brands that really hit the spot.

To get a good idea of what the public really thinks about this kind of websites, I went around different blogs, forums, etc. to see what you think. I was surprised to see very negative comments, very good ones, but what really impressed me most, was a comment of a young fellow over a website that had particularly bad reviews. He started saying that he was a member of this club and really had a good experience with it. He then went on to explain that he was surprised about this negativity and he actually said that usually people from competing websites go around forums trashing their competition!! I was aghast! But you know, it really got me thinking...

Internet is a great invention, but it can also be a great weapon. If you really want to put someone down or harm them you can, with the power of a click. And it got me thinking about all the forums, facebook profiles, twitters,blogs, etc. that could be untrue. How many are there? How many people have seen bad reviews and just avoided anything? How many people have been harmed by this situations?

I have bought, returned, not received, waited for refunds and so on of many of this clubs. All of them have long deliveries (since they rely on supplier shipment), all of them have missing quantities (being close outs and obsoletes, suppliers don't really pay that much attention) and all of them have refund waiting lists (since they have to wait to see what arrived, send all orders and then they refund...). I have bought again and had good experiences or bad (in case the first one was good) in all.

Trashing people on the net is horrible. I know everyone is entitled to it's own opinion but if you ask me, at the end of the day, the only opinion that is worth anything, is your own.

Ode to a genius

Love him or hate him... Genius or mad man? Alexander McQueen's unique view of fashion was always poignant and daring. So it's really with great regret that we from fashion buddha would like to remember this fashion icon.

Born Lee McQueen in 1969 in Lewisham, London, to a taxi driver and Joyce, a social science teacher, McQueen was the youngest of six children. He started his career as an apprentice with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard.

His escalation to success started when fashion stylist Isabella Blow, bought his entire graduating collection and encouraged him to use his middle name to launch his fashion career.

McQueen made his name first in London, then wooed audiences in Paris, New York and Milan to take his place in the upper echelons of the designing world. He was named British Fashion Designer of the Year four times, and was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003, when she made him a Commander of the British Empire for his fashion leadership.

McQueen's early runway collections developed his reputation for controversy and shock tactics earning him the title "l'enfant terrible" and "the hooligan of English fashion". McQueen was known for his lavish, unconventional, runway shows, such as a recreation of a shipwreck for his spring 2003 collection, spring 2005's human chess game and his fall 2006 show.

McQueen was known as a private man who shunned the limelight. He turned down most interview requests and did not cultivate a cult of personality. He truly ignited a spark in London's fashion, helping to revive it after the long-dormant period that followed the punk explosion in the 1970s.

Because of his influence in the fashion industry and his great tailoring skills, he will be remembered as one of the greatest designers and trend-setters of his time.

May he rest in peace.