By Julia Eskins

Photography courtesy of Cityblis

In the world of emerging fashion, many independent designers face the challenge of not only producing and selling their own lines, but promoting them as well. Enter Cityblis – an e-commerce platform that aims to give independent designers a voice, and a way to directly connect with customers and media around the world.

On June 26, Cityblis.com launched the Cityblis Media Center, the first-of-its-kind online fashion press room. Merging digital publishing and e-commerce, the service gives journalists access to thousands of independent designers by consolidating digital content into a central hub. Cityblis first launched as an invitation-only online fashion community, allowing customers to buy directly from the designer. Now, the network has expanded to include media professionals.

The service not only benefits designers seeking publicity, but also journalists and bloggers interested in sharing links to their articles on the Cityblis Press Page. As a news source, fashion reporters can easily filter images, videos and press releases that are relevant to their audience. The portal features different categories for easy browsing of high-resolution images, live feeds, product launches, event invitations, samples and trending topics.

Unlike many e-commerce platforms that cater to one specific country, the Cityblis Media Center offers its services on an international scale. With designers including Sacha London and LASVIII Paris, many of the brands involved have already garnered a loyal following in their own countries. The newest press room extension aims to extend that reach to global media and, in turn, international markets.