Today was definitely a day for interesting conversation, and it started this morning when I had coffee with Imran Amed, the founder of the Business of Fashion blog. Afterwards I had lunch at Jericho Tennis Club with an old friend and business partner from London, Emma, who now edits a series of magazines. Both are back in town for the holidays. It seems like too many of the interesting Canadians are living outside of Canada, but it is great to hear about the amazing work they are doing. And hopefully they will follow my lead and move back sometime soon…

I have mentioned Business of Fashion before, but since I am on the subject of great blogs, I thought I would give you a short list of my favourite blogs. I am not going to pretend I am off the beaten track with my choice of top blogs, there is nothing on this list that is very unpredictable, so if anyone has anything fantastic to recommend, please do. I am always looking for new blogs to read, and am trial running many at the moment. I need to enjoy a blog for at least one month before I commit, and I need to want to read at least 70 percent of the content to make me a subscriber.

Business of Fashion is the one to read if you are working in the fashion industry (or trying to break into it.) There are two main components, the first is interesting, insightful articles, writing by Imran and some of his contributors, about the business surrounding the fashion industry. The second part is the Daily Digest, which is a short list, with links, of the 4-6 most interesting fashion-related articles posted on the web that day. Basically, Imran and his team have saved you the trouble of having to trawl through all the websites, they give you the best bits in one hit. But don’t expect celebrity gossip and consumer fashion trends, the BoF Daily Digest will link to reputable information sources like Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Women’s Wear Daily, New York Times, Reuters, International Herald Tribune, and The Independent. This is my fashion information bible.

An illustration of Diane Pernet by Jesus Sandoval, from A Shaded View on Fashion

A Shaded View on Fashion by Diane Pernet is a diary style blog that documents her travels and projects, and she also has loads of great contributors. Read this blog if you are interested in the avant-garde side of fashion, photography, and the arts. Diane, a American living in Paris, shows us what the unusual brands and people are doing, so don’t expect coverage of the latest red carpet event, you are more likely to see photos from a crazy art party in Vienna.

On the Runway is the blog by Cathy Horyn, the New York Times fashion critic. Those of you who know Cathy’s work know that she is called a critic, and not just a journalist, for a reason. She knows pretty much everyone in the fashion industry (everyone that counts), is not afraid to give her opinion, and generally the opinion of the people commenting on her blog is equally interesting. The one main criticism I would have about her blog is that it is sporadic and she doesn’t post often enough, at least for my liking.

A photo of Susie Bubble from Style Bubble

Style Bubble is a blog by Susie Bubble, who is now also an editor at Dazed Digital, the Dazed and Confused website. When she started the blog, she wasn’t working in the industry, and I loved her enthusiastic, un-jaded approach to fashion and her thirst for the new. Even though she is now working in the industry, she is relentless in her pursuit of new and cool brands, and also has very eclectic personal taste.

The Cut and Fashionista are my sources for the “gossipy” side of fashion, which is sometimes important when you are in the industry. And speaking of celebrities, when I need a good laugh, Go Fug Yourself is the place to go to for hilarious celebrity outfit disses. (is disses a word?)

The sort of image you'll see on Dezeen

Dezeen is one of the best design blogs, so if you are interested in architecture, interiors, and furniture, Dezeen is the one for you.

A typical Tommy Ton photo, the photographer behind Jak and Jil

The Sartorialist and Jak and Jil are the blogs to go to for beautiful pictures of people that look damn good.

A Todd Selby photo, from The Selby, a blog of photographs of very cool homes.

I am also a fan and subscriber of The David Report Blog (mostly design and architecture), Style Rookie (Tavi, the 13 year old fashion blogger), Retail Refugees (cool retail spaces), Cool Hunting (everything cool), Vandelay Design Blog (graphic and internet design), Y Pulse (tween and teen marketing trends), Trendland (more cool stuff), and The Selby (cool people’s houses.)