Is 2026 the New 2016? Where Does that Leave Us?
by: Caroline Vazzana
Hi….Hello….is this thing on? Honestly, I’m not too sure since it’s been over a year since I’ve written anything, and I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit rusty. If you’re new to this website, welcome and if you’ve been here before, welcome back! I hope it feels warm and comfortable, like your favorite worn in sweater. It does for me. I started Making it in Manhattan (the website) back in 2016, shortly after I started writing what would become my book, “Making it in Manhattan: The Beginners Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the World of Fashion”- I started this site as a way to share my writing with the world. To share my ideas, my style thoughts and so much more. After a while though, it felt as though blogs were “dead.” Do you remember everyone saying that?
Blogs are dead, magazines are dead….but are they really?
It has since made me realize that we as people are yearning for nostalgia. We seek out a simpler time, a time when you could post an unedited selfie with only the Valencia filter slapped on top. A time where brunch with your girls at your favorite rooftop was all you worried about that week and when dog filters reigned supreme.
Currently the world is so nostalgic for ten years ago, 2016. Just the other week I, of course, gave into the trend and posted a 2016 throwback carousel. It consisted of photos of me at Cha Cha Matcha, going to Fashion Shows, and with icons I’ve always looked up to like the one and only Iris Apfel. But so much has happened since then. In those days, I was a young girl just starting out, barely making any money and wondering if I’d be able to sustain this career. Now, I’m almost ten years into this career and it’s been my fulltime job ever since. But why is it that we are so nostalgic for a time of chaos, of unknown, a time where success was so unsure?
As I think back and reflect, my personal thought is that back then, young Caroline was so hopeful, so optimistic. I truly believed anything was possible. I manifested a book deal, I traveled to Paris Fashion Week, I interviewed my idols, like Betsey Johnson, numerous times. Maybe the industry has hardened me a bit, and that baby Caroline? Yes I am still optimistic, but maybe I’m just a bit more realistic now? Which, it’s not bad to be more realistic, but it does take a bit of fun out of daydreaming, picturing what your life will be like ten years from now.
So, where does that leave us?
Well- after hearing blogs have been declared dead these past few years, I stopped writing on Making it in Manhattan and really focused all of my time and effort into social media, which of course is such a big part of my job. Now though, over the past year or so, all I see is creators making Substacks, which I love reading as well. But it got me thinking- I need to write again. I need to get back on the bike, put my favorite hat back on. I have so much to share and something to say so why am I not saying it? For lack of time? Maybe. For the possibility of judgment? Maybe. But at this point I’ve been doing this long enough, and for my OG Making it in Manhattan readers, I felt like I owed it to you all and to myself to finally come back. This time, to share a different bit of myself with you all. And though it may feel scary and a bit messy in the beginning I wanted to try. So, no this is not a Substack- this is a good old fashion blog post. Hopefully people still read these. So welcome (back) to Making it in Manhattan the blog, I’m very excited to have you here and can’t wait to share more.
I’m planning on writing monthly blog posts for you so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to not miss a moment. Comment below and let me know what you’d like me to write about. Until next time- sending love, hugs and lots of sparkles!
xo
Caroline