In a world with sites like Facebook and Twitter, social networking has become all too common. Yet another site has sprung up that adds a completely new creative twist to the average social network: Polyvore.
Polyvore.com, a five-year-old fashion community website, is quickly gaining popularity as a "global community of independent trendsetters and stylists," according to the Polyvore site. Unlike any other social networking site, Polyvore offers a variety of experiences: users can shop, share trends, give and receive fashion advice, and publish collages of their favorite pieces.
Users create "sets" or collages, from an endless database of clothing, accessories, magazine articles, backgrounds, music, text, art, and photos. The clothing and accessories in the database are real—users can click on links to purchase anything they like. And users don't just create fashion-themed collages; many include interior design and art in their creations. After publishing a collage on Polyvore, users can share it on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook or email with an easy click of a button. As with other social networks, Polyvore users can follow other users and give feedback on other people's sets and collections. Users can "like" and comment on other sets (similarly to Facebook) and top sets appear on Polyvore's home page.
Other features of Polyvore include forums where users can seek fashion advice, the ability to create "collections" of favorite items, and a shop allowing users to search for products. Polyvore works with promoters like Burberry, Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, and Stella McCartney--to name a few-- who encourage users to create collages based on their products. For instance, Polyvore just held a contest in which users must create collages using two of Elizabeth Arden's featured products. The winners receive an Elizabeth Arden gift bag.
While many people still haven't heard of Polyvore, its rapid growth and collaboration with Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter ensure that Polyvore will soon become a prominent online community for serious fashionistas and casual shoppers alike.
