martes, 21 de septiembre de 2010

Chanel Could Sue You For Using The Word ‘Chanel’ As An Adjective To Describe Someone Else’s Designs” y 11 mas

Chanel Could Sue You For Using The Word ‘Chanel’ As An Adjective To Describe Someone Else’s Designs” y 11 mas

Chanel Could Sue You For Using The Word ‘Chanel’ As An Adjective To Describe Someone Else’s Designs

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 06:30 AM PDT

We are in the middle of fashion month and reams and gigabytes have been written about the various collections that stomped down runways. Apparently Chanel has got its interlocking-C embossed undies in a bunch about writers and editors using its name as a descriptor for other designers' collections. So the company took out an entire back page ad in WWD yesterday to tell us all off entreat us:

"A note of information and entreaty to fashion editors, advertisers, copywriters and other well-intentioned mis-users of our Chanel name:
Chanel was a designer, an extraordinary woman who made a timeless contribution to fashion. Chanel is a perfume. Chanel is modern elegance in couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, watches and fine jewelry. Chanel is our registered trademark for fragrance, cosmetics, clothing, accessories and other lovely things. Although our style is justly famous, a jacket is not 'a Chanel jacket' unless it is ours, and somebody else’s cardigans are not 'Chanel for now.' And even if we are flattered by such tributes to our fame as ‘Chanel-issime,  Chanel-ed, Chanels, and Chanel-ized’, PLEASE DON’T. Our lawyers positively detest them. We take our trademark seriously. 
Merci,
Chanel, Inc.”

Chanel is one of the few fashion brands that can truly be called iconic. If I write that a jacket looks "Chanel-esque" you know exactly what I'm talking about. However, I could get into legal trouble if I write that. Yep.

I spoke to Anne Sterba, who is one of the attorneys at the intellectual property firm Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck. (They are the firm that recently represented Valentino during that 16-year marathon trademark case.) She has never worked with or represented Chanel, but offered her take on the WWD ad.

She said that Chanel or any other trademarked name can't be turned into an adjective. To do so would require the permission of the company. They own the name. You can't use it in any kind of descriptive manner at all.

I asked Anne about writing something like: "Designer X showed a collection of jackets that looked a lot like Chanel's 2004 collection." She said that even that is a gray area. Like Kleenex and Xerox, Chanel is trying to prevent their name from becoming generic.

So why the ad? "They are policing their brand," Anne told me. "They have to do it, because if they end up in court with a trademark issue and they can't prove to a judge that they've been trying to protect their brand, they will lose credibility." So this ad is apparently a part of that process of protecting the trademark. She also mentioned that while start-ups and newer designers might want that exposure, because any press is good, it can hurt the perceived quality of more established brands.

So with this in mind, the jackets I saw in the windows of several different stores today were merely tweedy and boxy, with embellished hems and plackets. They reminded me of no particular brand at all.



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Video: Alexander McQueen’s Memorial

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 06:00 AM PDT



Yesterday, the London fashion industry celebrated the life and work of Lee Alexander McQueen with an intimate memorial service. Notable guests included Sarah-Jessica Parker, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Anna Wintour, and Bjork, who performed.

Mark Fast Spring 2011: Fringe Fest

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 05:00 AM PDT

Fringe has played a big role at the London shows, and knitwear king Mark Fast got in on the fun for Spring 2011.

The Canadian born designer, whose body-con spider web dresses have made quite the impression on the fashion industry, only tweaked his signature look slightly for spring, adding in some extravagant fringe–made from horsehair?–more than a few crystals–provided by Swarovski, natch–and a bit of patent leather thrown in for good measure.

Was it revolutionary? Certainly not. But Fast is establishing a signature look. For a young designer, sometimes that’s more important than shocking the audience each season.

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Tying Up Loose Threads from NYFW: Marc by Marc, Phillip Lim and Anna Sui Do What They Do, But They Do It So Well

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 05:18 PM PDT

You sort of know what to expect from Marc by Marc (cheerful, fun, girly), Phillip Lim (sleek, tailored, the clothes I want to wear), and Anna Sui (’70s inspired, kooky, playful), but that is not to say that these designers don’t put out great collections season after season. There’s something comforting, too, in knowing that when you go to see any of these designers, you know you’re in for a good show. And Spring/Summer 2011 was no exception. We’ve also included our final menswear review of George McCracken’s show in this, our final review roundup from New York Fashion Week.



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A Message to Modcloth Regarding The “Blog Writer Dress”

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Gently priced, self-described “indie” clothing site Modcloth is selling a dress called the “blog writer dress.” It is an off white star-print baby-doll dress with a pinafore-type smock that retails for $131.99. There’s a stereotype about bloggers that they are slovenly and perma-pajama-ed and stuck in the middle of a macbook-and-couch sandwich. Feeding into that stereotype, Modcloth’s “blog writer dress” looks like a nightgown. For an eight-year-old.

I blog and I edit a blog and I don’t dress like this. Nor do any of my friends who edit and write online. The Gloss took an informal poll of some lady bloggers only to find out that they, too, did not wear, as Triangle Music‘s Valerie Marino calls it, “hipster muumuus,” to work.

But wait, there’s more. Modcloth’s lengthy description of the “blog writer dress”:
“As a full-time blog writer, you know that there's no reason to sacrifice ease in the name of style when you're swanning around for hours with your laptop in tow. This loose-fitting babydoll dress makes a perfect match of both with its functional button front, cuffed short sleeves, and dark grey trim. A star-like pattern adds to its charm, as do its useful pockets. Transition from typing at home to meeting up with your readers for cupcakes by adding a fitted blazer, grey tights and a high, sturdy pair of heels, and you'll be feeling both comfortable and confident as you chat the night away.”

Modcloth copywriter, come to work with me for a day. I go into an office. I don’t “swan” around, and I occasionally I like to wear body conscious dresses instead of hiding my frame in a burlap sack, er, dress. Also? I don’t meet up with my readers for cupcakes.

Not to pigeonhole blog writers, Modcloth also sells a “blog editor” dress. So maybe this description will sum me up better?

“When you’re in the office tracking down deadlines from your writers, you need a dress that’s absolutely comfortable, commanding, and as chic as the styles you feature on your website. The black color of this frock and the structure of its subtley padded shoulders show that you mean business, while the unexpected cutouts on the back of this otherwise simple and sleek, little black dress, along with the fitted cut, portray an expertise in executing a totally on-trend ensemble that will demand respect. And when hunting down a lost article keeps you at your computer well past regular business hours, you’ll appreciate the super soft, flexible composition. Piece it together with black zip-up ankle boots and a few choice accessories for a look as well-composed as the copy you publish in your posts!”

Wrong again. I don’t think anyone should wear a dress that short to work, even if your place of work is a website. A dress with cutouts usually is usually meant for business conducted on the street, not behind a computer screen on wordpress.

But this is all in good fun. Modcloth’s descriptions are actually pretty impressive, and beg the question: Does this mean Modcloth is the new J.Peterman catalogue for hipster millenials? Paging Elaine Benes.



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Street Style: Nastasia Is Sweet Like Macaroons

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 02:14 PM PDT


Name: Nastasia Ohl

Occupation: Model

Agency: Next

What is your favorite dessert? That’s a hard one. I’m a sweet kind of person but probably Macaroons.

What is currently your favorite song? “Salvation” by The Scanners.

Where is your scarf from? Alexander McQueen

Where is your skirt and bag from? My skirt is vintage and my bag is Givenchy

nastasia nastasia-portrait nastasia-portrait-2



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Adventures In Copyright: Urban Outfitters VS. Proenza Schouler

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 01:06 PM PDT


Urban Outfitters, who is no stranger to our Adventures In Copyright series, is back at it again. This time around the victim is Proenza Schouler. Reader Tina pointed out that the Urban Outfitters’ ‘Realitee Tye Dye Sweatshirt’ looks remarkably similar to a top from Proenza Schouler’s Spring 2010 collection. And we wholeheartedly agree. This is a flagrant knock-off.

The only difference? The Urban Outfitters sweater is made of cotton and costs $48, while the Proenza sweater is made of silk, runs for about $1333, and might be a little harder to get your hands on.



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Trendspotting: Turbans

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 12:30 PM PDT

There were turbans aplenty during NYFW, both on and off the runways. Some version were more paired down, others were big and wrapped and over the top. Would you, could you, wear a turban?



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DIY Video: P.S. I Made This…Denim Messenger Bag

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 11:00 AM PDT

Erica Domesek is the craftiest girl we know. And we’re not talking crafty as in macaroni necklaces and potholders here. She’s glamor with a glue gun, taking runway trends and recreating them DIY-style with materials from the party supplies aisles and hardware stores, breaking each project down on her site, P.S. I Made This. And now all of Domesek’s best P.S. I Made This projects are bound in print: Her new book, P.S. I Made This, is out this week.

A few weeks ago out in Montauk, Domesek walked Lauren and me through repurposing an old pair of jean shorts by turning them into adorable messenger bags with chain link straps. We’re not quite as crafty as Erica, but she made it easy, and it’s easy to follow along in this video. It’s the first of three in a DIY series we’re working on with Erica, and the next project is Alexander Wang-inspired so stay tuned.

Now grab your ratty old jean shorts (it’s finally cool enough to be retiring them anyway), get inspired and repeat Domesek’s mantra: “I see it, I like it, I make it.”

Shop London Fashion Week’s Estethica Designers For the First Time on YOOX

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 10:00 AM PDT


Seven years ago, The British Fashion Council set out on a mission to make fashion just a little bit more ecofriendly. In order to do so, they established Estethica–an exhibition of innovative designers committed to working sustainably.

After seven years of success at London Fashion Week, Estethica and the BFC have decided to make the eco sustainable design exhibition available to consumers world wide through a collaboration with ecommerce site YOOX.com. To coincide with this week’s London Fashion Week, YOOX created an online retail space specifically for a selection of Estethica designers called Yooxygen.

While the name “Yooxygen” leaves something to be desired, it is an exciting opportunity for fashionistas who care about where their clothes come from. The clothes on Yooxygen are made sustainably but don’t look it. Instead of the predictable earth tones and rough fabrics made out of hemp and bamboo that other “green” fashion lines usually produce, these designers actually put out fresh innovative designs that we’d want to wear.

eco2 ec04 eco eco3



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Fashion News Roundup: Bedbugs Hit Fifth Ave, Taylor Momsen Is In Her Underwear (Again) and On Fire, and Giles Deacon to NYFW

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 09:16 AM PDT

Bedbugs Swoosh: The bed bugs are back (were they every really gone?). Their latest victim? The 95,000 square-foot Nike store on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue. While Nike has released a press release addressing the bedbug problem, none of the signs outside let passersby know that the store has been infested with bedbugs. Sneaky. {The Cut}

Taylor Momsen Is on Fire, Literally: Taylor Momsen and her band The Pretty Reckless have released their new video for ‘Makes Me Wanna Die.’ In it, Momsen strips down to her underwear while walking through bits of burning debris and leaping flames. Shocking. {Huffington Post}

Giles Comes To NYFW: Maybe. Following the steps of other UK designers such as Preen and William Tempest, Giles Deacon wants to show his eponymous label in New York next season rather than London. {Fashionologie}

No More LV For You: According to Madison Avenue Spy, Louis Vuitton’s classic handbags are nearly extinct. Sorta–they’re just almost sold out of their classic Monogram canvas bags. According to a sales associate, the shortage has been going on world wide for almost a month now. Perhaps their pulling a Chanel and creating a shortage to boost holiday sales? {Madison Avenue Spy}

Models Read Racked went behind the scenes at NYFW to investigate what models are reading back stage. Every time they came across a model holding a book, they snapped a shot. Some books spotted were The Great Gatsby, Under The Dome, and Lord Of The Flies. {Racked}

Repetto x Opening Ceremony: Repetto for Opening Ceremony has hit floors. OC has also installed a Repetto shop in shop at both their LA and NY stores featuring the entire Repetto collection as well as the special edition collaborations. {Opening Ceremony}



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I Need, I Want, I Have to Have: Richard Nicoll Spring 2011

Posted: 20 Sep 2010 08:00 AM PDT

LONDON–You know that a show’s good when you begin trying to work out in your mind how you’re going to fit at least one piece, if not two, into your budget next year. That’s how I felt when I was watching Richard Nicoll‘s Spring 2011 show. I haven’t yet decided which piece I want to splurge on, but I have narrowed it down to ten:

1. Black dress with sheer t-shirt. I love the juxtaposition of the sheer tee underneath the Amish-y dress.

2.Sheer pin dot button down shirt over a black and white accordion pleated skirt. I’m loving the accordion pleat trend, and this is a a great interpretation of it.

3. White dress, sheer black tee, slight peplum waist. I mean, it’s perfect? Also, Lindsey Wixson‘s Swarovski-covered sunnies were kind of incredible.

4.Asymmetrical dress with sheer skirt and leather bodice. So yeah. I’d wear leather in the heat of summer if it was in the form of this dress.

5.Sheer pin dot blouse and black leather pants. I’m definitely wearing my leather leggings tomorrow. Also, I love pin dot.

6.Sparkly cardigan. This cardi sparkled in a way that Natalie Portman’s cardigan sparkled on Charlie Rose about ten years ago. I remember this cardigan so clearly because it made me even more jealous of Natalie, who at the time was the most perfect girl in the world.

7. Black deep v dress. I’d wear this with Church’s brogues. I love dressing like a nun. Seriously.

8. Leather mermaid skirt. The hem on this skirt is just incredible.

9. Sheer pin dot cardigan. White wide leg pants. That cardigan may be the must-have.

10. Pale pink baseball jacket piped in dusty rose. I used to have a baseball jacket from the Gap. This made me wish I still did.



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