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Being part of the Coutorture network for the past year has been such a rewarding experience.  I've been able to connect with fashion and beauty bloggers from around the world and it's been fun learning the different aspects, perspectives, and opinions about fashion and the fashion industry at large.

That said, I'd like to spread some exciting news that I just received from Coutorture's founder, Julie Fredrickson.  Read the press release below:

San Francisco, CA, October 9th, 2007 -- Sugar Inc. announced today that it has acquired Coutorture Media, the leading network of independent style publishers online. Coutorture Media will continue to operate independently at Coutorture.com.

Coutorture Media is an online fashion community of over 230 of the most insightful, inspiring, and well-read style websites and blogs. Its Coutorture.com serves as a hub for the best fashion, streetwear, beauty and fragrance content available online. Network sites are hand picked by the editors to reflect the highest commitment to editorial integrity. Additionally, Coutorture aids traditional media outlets, designers, fashion retailers, and public relations firms in interacting with the wider new media style community.

Following Sugar Inc.'s acquisition of ShopStyle last month, today's announcement further demonstrates the company's commitment to creating the best and most relevant online communities for women. Julie Fredrickson, founder and Editor in Chief of Coutorture Media, will continue in that role at Coutorture. Co-founder Phil Leif will serve as a Senior Engineer at Sugar Inc. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Coutorture has spent the past year and a half building a network of the most well-respected and honored fashion and beauty blogs," said Julie Fredrickson. "Today's announcement begins a new chapter for Coutorture and our member blogs, enabling us to better serve our many talented independent publishers, strengthen our hold on the marketplace, and work closely with Sugar Inc. properties."

Brian Sugar, founder and chief executive officer of Sugar Inc., said, "The addition of Coutorture to our company will provide us with the opportunity to further integrate fashion and technology, while providing readers with access to a network of high-end fashion blogs."

About Sugar Inc. Sugar Inc. is an online media network focused on creating the richest, most relevant online community for trendsetting, passionate and smart women. The company owns and operates ShopStyle, Coutorture Media and the Sugar Network, which includes the insanely addictive flagship website, PopSugar as well as BellaSugar, BuzzSugar, YumSugar, FitSugar, GeekSugar, GiggleSugar, CasaSugar, DearSugar, TeamSugar and FabSugar, the 2007 People's Choice Webby winner for Fashion. Founded in April 2006, the San Francisco based Sugar Inc. overall receives over 5 million unique visitors a month. World-class investors including Sequoia Capital and NBC Universal fund Sugar Inc.

Thanks to Coutorture for all the support! Without them, I wouldn't have all the free fashion photos and videos of the latest runway shows ;)

Read more about the partnership over at TechCrunch and read Julie's personal thoughts over at her blog, Almost Girl.