I love stories like this- I saw it in the February issue of Vogue. It proves that fashion is transcendent. Thanks to Tom Bachik and his cousin for thinking outside the box!
So, a skater dude in California loves airbrushing and personalizing helmets, skateboards and snowboards. When the recession hits in the 1990′s, he figures airbrushing isn’t going to pay the bills, especially now that his wife’s expecting. His (genius!) cousin tells him that the beauty industry is impervious to recessions and that he should paint nails. Skater dude goes to nail school and gets his license, wins a nail championship, works for Creative Nail Design, gets an agent, works on photo shoots, garners clients like Beyonce and Victoria Beckham and gets signed as Chanel’s very first celebrity manicurist. Ahh, the sweet life. Read more about Tom Bachik’s colorful path to Chanel at Style.com.
After an alleged spat with a couple in a Paris restaurant on Thursday, Dior has suspended iconic designer John Galliano, 50, pending investigation. Some reports claim Galliano exchanged slaps with the couple while others cite hair pulling. Some websites state he was arrested while others state he was detained and released. Further, some report that after questioning, Paris police escorted the designer home while others report that his chauffeur drove him home. Sooo…I’m not quite sure what to believe. (All do report that Galliano had been drinking though.) Whatever the truth, these accusations are untimely, as Paris Fashion Week starts Monday, and this is publicity I’m sure Dior would rather do without. As for Galliano, he has denied any wrongdoing, called Dior’s suspension “disproportionate” and has filed a defamation claim against the couple.
In honor of President’s Day, I felt it was apropos to highlight Mrs. O, undoubtedly one of the most stylish First Ladies in American history. Out of all the ensembles she’s donned over the years, this lemongrass Isabel Toledo sheath dress remains one of my favorites. For me, it represented hope, courage and a fresh perspective, all attributes that embody the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement and Black History Month. Thank you, Mrs. Obama, for being the epitome of intelligence, grace and style.
Hello darlings, I saw this on Kimberly Schlegel Whitman’s RSVP Calendar and wanted to pass on the info. The Elisa Project is a non-profit organization created in 1999 to raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. On February 26th, during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the organization is hosting a fashion show at Saks Fifth Avenue at the Dallas Galleria to raise awareness. “Local celebrities will join girls and women, boys and men, of all ages and sizes, to embrace healthy, balanced lifestyles and self acceptance.” If you would like to attend this event, please click here for more information.
As you know, Thread Conscious strives to cover ALL things fashion, including interesting legal issues facing world-renown fashion houses. It appears Levi Strauss is suing Dolce & Gabbana over trademark infringement of the jean company’s famous and widely recognizable back pocket stitching design, including the red ribbon sewn into the side of the pockets. As it turns out, Levi’s went after D&G in 1998 for this very same problem (and a lot of other companies over the years), and the two fashion giants settled back then. However, according to Levi Strauss, D&G’s 2011 collection is in breach of the 1998 settlement agreement.
You can read more about this case on Trademarks and Brands and view the legal Complaint on Sribd here. (Hint: If you don’t feel like reading all of the Complaint, read pages 4-6 to get the gist of the issue and then skip to page 66. Page 66 is the beginning of the Exhibits and shows pictures of the brands of jeans that are allegedly infringing Levi Strauss’s pocket design trademark.) Below you’ll find a picture of the Levi’s pocket and a drawing of the D&G pocket, respectively, which I have pulled from the public records on United States Patent & Trademark Office’s website. Are the two designs so similar, that you’re confused between the two brands? If so, Houston, we have a trademark problem.
Fashionably Yours,
Nik
(P.S. Reminder: None of this is legal advice, please review my Legal Disclaimer.)
Happy Valentine’s Day! This couldn’t be a more perfect day to discuss my new found love: the fashion history series Love/Luston the Sundance Channel. Just so happens I was half-way watching a documentary about Kate Moss on the Sundance Channel and it seems that Full Frontal Fashion is premiering a 4-part series called Love/Lust. Love/Lust, a show “devoted to exploring the origins and impact of iconic fashion,” is the perfect fix for fashion nerds like me. The first episode explored the history of the LBD (Little Black Dress) in all its glory and this Tuesday, the bikini will take center stage. Make it a date and don’t miss Love/Lustat 9pm CST on the Sundance Channel.
For all you in the know, you know that IFB’s Fashion Blogger Conference “Evolving Influence” is going on in NYC today. For those of us who couldn’t be there, the live stream is brought to us by ICED Media. (I have posted the afternoon schedule below.)
EVOLVING INFLUENCE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE- Eastern Standard Time
Working with Brands Gracefully
2:00pm-3:30pm
When you start monetizing your blog, questions start to come up. How as a single blogger can you keep the division between business and editorial? How do you maintain your credibility with your readers, is transparency enough?
Defining the difference between promotional and editorial
Gifts or Bribes?
Fact checking… is Google enough?
Integrated sponsorships. Do they affect your credibility?
4:00pm-5:30pm
This year more bloggers are using agents, managers, they have assistants, interns… It’s a far cry from the lone blogger doing it all. This panel will focus on how professional bloggers have evolved over the last few years and where the industry is heading.
What does a career in professional blogging look like?
Bloggers using agencies to manage their careers
How things have changed for bloggers over the last year
Brought to you by TheFind
7:30pm-9:30pm
Shuttle provided
For people 21+ years only
•••
Workshops
Le Bain, The Standard Hotel, February 11, 2011
Space is limited
Essential Blogger Toolkit
1:00pm-2:30pm
What makes your blog magical, & how can you keep it humming? This workshop will crystalize your vision & help you recognise your point of difference. Together, we’re going to work out what makes your blog really special! We’ll talk about staying true to YOU & how to monetise without feeling sleazy! You’ll discover your niche, get really clear about who your audience is & find out how best to engage them, both online & off. We’ll load you up with writing prompts, ideas to beat blogger burn-out (with style!) & discuss what makes a blog really pop!
Have a great idea and want to turn it into a business? From concept to execution, learn what it takes to start your own business from two experienced fashion & tech entrepreneurs. The workshop will cover all the essentials like team, product strategy, branding, business planning, funding and more.
Here we will ill discuss how to secure press coverage for your blog. Topics will include the most effective ways to pitch to producers, how to prepare yourself for interviews and how-to segments, what to wear (of course!), and ways to make yourself more comfortable in front of the mic or camera. Bring your questions for a Q&A session after the workshop!
Taught by Sally McGraw Already Pretty • Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, DBA
Image by Saga Sig, model: Svala, stylist: Jessica Hannan
For those of you who enjoyed it the first time around, TNT is bringing back ‘Dallas’ with a cast of new actors and old favorites. Big clothes, big hair and big egos, you know everything’s bigger in Texas. I just hope the modern ‘Dallas’ delivers.
