MANHATTAN — Forget Facebooking, Googling and tweeting — “pinning” is the newest social network verb.
Pinterest, the latest online phenomenon that works as virtual corkboard in which users can grab images or text from the internet and assemble them on their own page, has become a go-to tool tfor fashionistas scrambling to assemble their wardrobes for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, which kicks off Feb. 9 and runs through Feb. 16.
“It is an instant sharing resource," said “the Secret Stylist” Lucy James, a New York City-based personal stylist and fashion blogger who is an avid Pinterest user.
Celebrities, stylists, bloggers and brands are using the website to stream an up-to-date visual display of what is trending or inspiring their own tastes, and get feedback from all their fans and followers.
Among the other big names in fashion who turn to Pinterest include Marie Claire Fashion Director and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia — who has 146,000 followers on Pinterest, and Dawn Del Russo, celebrity stylist and on-air fashion expert, among others.
With Fashion Week approaching, James has been pinning inspiration for what she will be wearing as she keeps tabs on the runways, such as bright pink pants and pastel colors.
“You can see the influence from the catwalk, from celebrities, what someone was wearing on the red carpet,” said James. “I put a lot of fashion campaigns on my Pinterest, such as the Spring/Summer Mulberry campaign, which has a lot of pastels.“
The site is simple. While browsing the web if you see an image you like, pin it to your Pinterest account. The images will pop up on your Pinterest board, allowing you to keep track and organize all your ideas and inspirations. Like other social networking sites, you can follow people and you can “repin” the images you like on other Pinterest accounts.
Mr. Youth, a social media and youth marketing agency, is exploring how Pinterest can benefit clients. Kelsey Overby, a 24-year-old marketing executive at the company, is amazed how fast the influence of Pinterest has grown.
“When Pinterest first launched, it was mainly adopted by niche groups, such as DIY-ers and mommy bloggers,” Overby wrote in an email to DNAinfo.
Now brands and fashion personalities are beginning to use Pinterest to connect with clients and fans. In the week ending Dec. 17 in 2011 the site attracted 11 million visits, 40 times the number six months ago, according to Hitwise.com, a marketing website.
"The public is truly responding to the site’s ease-of-use..." wrote Overby. Users can install a "Pin It" button to their browser for a streamlined use and the site can be connected to Twitter and Facebook, according to Overby.
She maintains her own Pinterest account, which Overby divides into different pinboards such as fashion, interior designs, food and beverage or just “cool ideas” she encounters while browsing the Internet.
DNAinfo checked in on a few New York-based Pinterest accounts to see which pages are the best places to inspire wardrobes for Fashion Week.
Nina Garcia, Marie Claire Fashion Director and Project Runway judge.
The New York City-based trendsetter is a Pinterest superstar. She says it allows her “to share what I know with my community,” whether that is runway looks, trends or just images that inspire.
For Spring/Summer 2012 Garcia shares white as a trend to her 146,000-plus followers on Pinterest. Pinned to her account is a simple white Zac Posen dress with capped sleeves and an ultra-girly trend from the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2012 Ready-To-Wear collection - a white dress with a laser-cut lace in a bold floral design with a organza overlay.
A recent couture show for Jean-Paul Gaultier paid tribute to the late Amy Winehouse. Demonstrating the real time of the website, Garcia already has the trend pinned. The fashion pack can take the signature messy beehive, thick black eyeliner or delve a little deeper with a wardrobe change. Garcia’s Pinterest account detailed the JPG look that dramatically accentuated the woman’s waist a la Amy Winehouse.
Lucy James, the Secret Stylist, personal stylist and style blogger
With invites to Fashion Shows coming in and the importance of staying stylish for the week, James had a few ideas pinned on her page for her Fashion Week wardrobe such as pastels, blues, pinks and abstract shapes.
“She is mixing her pinks and I like that with either red or a nudie blush pink,” said James, of an almost entirely pink outfit from English brand Whistles that is displayed on her Pinterest account.
“I am going to wear bright pink jeans with nude silk top,” she said, detailing one of her Fashion Week outfits. “I am going to wear a plush pink blazer if it is mild and my black blazer with nude lining if it is colder.”
Playing with the silhouette is also on James’ inspiration list. A Jason Wu cream top with a peplum detail that plays dramatically with the shape of a woman’s hip fills the top right corner of her Pinterest page.
“You could tone that down and just wear it with a pair of really skinny jeans,” said James.
Dawn Del Russo, celebrity stylist and on-air fashion expert.
The 32-year-old stylist has been using Pinterest daily for the last six months as an inspiration space. Gearing up for Fashion Week, Del Russo has identified pastels and neons as two trends that will make it into her wardrobe the week.
“I like to wear solid neutral colors and not wear patterns,” said Del Russo, of her rules when venturing into risky neons. For pink neon, tan or khaki is an ideal partner and for neon green, grays and black works best, according to Del Russo. An image on her account demonstrates the look perfectly - a flowing bright yellow skirt with a black top that Del Russo repinned from another Pinterest user.
Pastels are another huge trend for Spring/Summer 2012 that Del Rosso will be rocking come Feb. 9. Similar to neons, she is planning a neutral outfit as a base to allow the soft pastel colors to pop.
“It gives you the feeling of Spring, but has warmer clothing for the cold weather,” said Del Russo, referring to a pinned image of the Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 Metiers d'Art runway show. The model is decked out in a cream coat with pastel pink lining, with each color mimicked on the top and pants.
Justin Livingston, Munrowe.com, fashion blogger
As a brave man in woman’s world, 24-year-old Livingston is paving the way for men’s fashion on Pinterest. Accessories and block colors are on his Pinterest account as he chooses his wardrobe for Fashion Week.
“I like to wear a neutral that you can really play down and then play up with accessories,” said Livingston. The inspirational images he has recently pinned on a Pinterest board entitled “Stuff Boys Like” include lime green belt, bandanna neckties and a saffron bow tie.
Browsing down Livingston’s Pinterest page, it is easy to see his love for large doses of color in the numerous hooded nautical parkars in red and yellow.
“You can wear it with boat shoes, a cool bandanna or a tie,” he said, adding the look can be versatile for both casual and classy events depending on what you pair it with.
Bergdorf Goodman, department store
It is not just people who are all over Pinterest, according to Overby from Mr. Youth, brands are also using it. Bergdorf Goodman has a huge account with more than 800 images already pinned. While the account sticks almost exclusively to products for sale at the famous Fifth Avenue store, the easy to use account is great for identifying trends such as tribal patterns and block colors.
Greens, reds, blues and any bright color you can imagine is a huge trend for Spring/Summer 2012 and those who want to be fashion savvy this fashion week will work at least a little into their wardrobe while keeping warm. A wide-leg pant in pastel green by Alice + Olivia paired with a white blazer is a perfect way to wear a bright color while keeping warm.
Eccentric tribal prints with heavy bangles and accessories are also big on the department store’s Pinterest account. Try a bold zibra print dress with leather detailing from Michael Kors or a ALC Linds Batik-print Maxi Skirt for an out-of-African look styled with sun-kissed skin. For a toned-down version pair a black-based outfit with bold tribal inspired accessories such as Jacquard Bucket Tote from Diane von Furstenberg, which pairs black and white checks with tan leather straps.
