I was tempted to leave this Derek Blasberg situation alone, but given the issues it brings up about the way fashion publishing works, I think it would be wrong not to address it.
For those of you who haven’t heard the story, here it goes: An editor over at Jezebel received a tip that fashion writer Blasberg asked YSL to pay him $2,500 to cover a party for Style.com, where he’s Editor-at-Large (usually a title that comes with a retainer).
According to our sources, Style.com’s freelancers receive, on average, around $100 for covering a party (and $25 for regular posts), but we’re assuming Blasberg’s retainer affords him a bit more. He is a fairly big name, after all, with a recently-published book and steady gigs with Harper’s Bazaar and V.
Blasberg told Jezebel that he was hired to consult on the party’s guest list. He covered the event the next day for Style.com. (And he hasn’t been paid–and will not be paid, according to our inside sources.) Did he promise coverage to YSL? I’m doubtful. No. Why would he? They assume he’s going to cover it. No bribery needed in this situation.
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