Just in time for Fashion Week in New York: a nice piece in the International Herald Tribune about the growing visibility (and importance) of online fashion & style sites like Daily Candy, hintmag and JuliB.

"In New York, where being the first to know about new trends is nearly a blood sport, virtual stylistas are increasingly prominent, sending daily or weekly emails that aim to give readers an intimate look at the latest designers, sales, restaurants and nightspots." That means premium, mainstream advertisers (Nike, Jeep, Apple) -- not just pure fashion brands -- are lining up to place ads on the sites. By some estimates, as many as 20,000 people a day visit the most popular of these sites.