The Red Scare

Plagiarism is defined as the wrongful appropriation, close imitation, or publication of another person’s language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions. We are taught in school that plagiarism is a crime, so how is it any different when we see a fake Louis Vuitton handbag on the streets of New York or a knock-off celebrity dress online?

Christian Louboutin signature red-sole shoe. 

Christian Louboutin is suing Yves Saint Laurent for putting red soles on his shoes.

Louboutin introduced the idea of the red-sole in 1992 when he painted red nail polish on the backs of a pair of women’s shoes. This quickly became one of the most iconic stiletto-looks in fashion.

“I wanted to create something that broke rules and made women feel confident,” said Louboutin in an interview with Bazaar.

For Yves Saint Laurent to be using red-soles on the backs of his shoes seems like a crime in the fashion world. According to the Huffington Post, Louboutin claims he has asked Laurent to stop the construction of “slapping some rouge,” onto the sole of the brand’s shoes since January.

The lawsuit reads: “Defendants’ use of red footwear outsoles that are virtually identical to plaintiffs’ Red Sole Mark is likely to cause and is causing confusion, mistake and deception among the relevant purchasing public.”

Courtesy of Top Brand Club.

Unfortunately, shoes are not the only product taking a hit. Coach has sued Target of alleged trademark infringement for selling a fake Coach purse. High-end products lose authenticity and legitimacy due to counterfeits and trademark violations. Some brands have already started policing their own merchandise in order to combat counterfeiting.

Jossy Jo, a Beijing brand has implemented Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) as a means to track any item from creation to sale. The tags assure to consumers that their goods are genuine.

Celebrities wearing Christian Louboutin shoes.
Photo courtesy of Profashionelle.

Christian Loubouton shoes have built their name around the use of the red sole, it seems this is an act of Yves Saint Laurent to gain a larger profit off of Louboutin’s trademark. No one wants to see Louboutin’s red-sole to be printed on the backs of cheaply made shoes or even the luxurious heels of Yves Saint Laurent.

When a designer’s ideas and creations begin to be compromised, it is understandable that Louboutin is seeking $1 million in damages. That is, comparable to around 250 pairs of the beautiful red-sole Louboutin shoes. 

Gaga is a go-go for Fashion Sense

Jaw-dropping, outlandish, revolutionary, scary, unique, and eccentric. These are just some of the words that describe Lady Gaga’s fashion sense.

Lady Gaga plans to perform in Austin, TX at the Frank Erwin Center this coming Wednesday. Prominently noted for her musical achievements including five Grammy Awards, two Guinness World Records, and an estimated sale of fifteen million albums—she never fails to disappoint her audiences with her outlandish attire.

Lady Gaga wearing the infamous meat dress.
Photo courtesy of MTV.

At the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, Gaga again brings her “shock and awe” factor, not only with her music but also with her garments. She wore a dress that had been fabricated from the flesh of a dead animal. The dress, also now widely known as the “meat dress,” was named Time magazine’s Fashion Statement of 2010.

Gaga uses fashion as an inspiration for her music. She even has her own production team called the Haus of Gaga. The team creates many of her clothes, stage props, and hairdos. Gaga told MTV that while she writes her music, she is thinking about what she wants to wear on stage at the same time:

“Fashion is everything,” said Gaga. “I want the imagery to be so strong that fans will want to eat and taste and lick every part of us.”

It seems as if everyone is jumping on the Lady Gaga fashion craze. Stars like Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera have been spotted trying to imitate the Lady Gaga look. Elle online has a web page where you can vote on your favorite extreme Gaga style.

Photo courtesy of New York magazine.

For last year’s Video Music Awards, her outfit and date inspired more than just the fashion world. Dressed as Miss Piggy and toting Kermit on her arm, rumors ran wild about the “new Miss Piggy.” New York magazine reported hearing that the fourth Muppet Movie will have a Gaga inspired character.

While it seems Lady Gaga has rocked everything from head-to-toe, red lace body suits to stuffed animals; no matter how dramatic her style, fans and fashion experts continue stay tuned in to her revolutionary fashion sense. 

That '70s Show

Photo courtesy of Taschen

Between bell-bottom pants, turtle-necked shirts, and cheap polyester, the 1970s is labeled to be a decade that, needless to say, lacks in taste. However, for those of us who love fashion, we know this is not completely true. While the ‘70s definitely had moments of crazy “Saturday Night Fever” inspired style, what decade is fully above reproach?

For designers, the ‘70s holds a plethora of fashion inspiration. In Paris, during this time, Yves Saint Laurent was revolutionizing the way women were dressing. Famous for taking masculine pieces, such as trench coats or pants, and slimming them down to fit a feminine shape. Laurent broke barriers between sexes. “Yves was the most influential designer working in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” said Tom Ford, successor of YSL ready-to wear runway, in an interview with Today.

Bianca Jagger wearing a white pantsuit in 1979.
Photo courtesy of Getty.

Not only were designers revolutionizing the fashion world, but the women themselves played a vital role. Take for instance, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who set the fashion standard as the First Lady with her clean suites and sleeveless A-line dress. And women like Bianca Jagger who showed us that wearing a hat could be glamorous. It’s no wonder that the ‘70s pulled inspiration from silhouettes and styles of the ‘40s—a decade celebrated for its timeless and classic appeal.

For spring 2011 fashions, the ‘70s are making a comeback. Designers like Tory Burch and Hannah MacGibbon for Chloe are drawing off ‘70s-inspired tailored jackets, feminine blouses, high waist pants, and platforms. ABC News describes MacGibbon’s spring collection, as “romantic, casual, sexy, bohemian, boyish and seventies-tinged style has never looked better.”

Seventies-inspired dress from Tory Burch's
Spring 2011 Collection.

It seems to me that the ‘70s are one of the most reinvented decades for fashion inspiration. Now, when I feel the urge to wear my high-waist jeans in public, I do not have to feel as if I am on my way to Studio 54, but rather tipping my hat to past fashionistas. 

Where does Galliano go from here?

While the buzz of Paris Fashion Week has begun to quiet down, John Galliano’s anti-Semitic remarks remain loud for Dior.

Dior recently fired their head designer, Galliano, after an online video surfaced with him praising Adolf Hitler. While this video was taped two years ago, his suspension from the Dior fashion house was due to more recent and similar instances.

An inebriated Galliano allegedly insulted Geraldine Bloch and Philippe Birgiti, a French couple at a bar in Paris. According to the Huffington Post, he told Bloch she had a “dirty Jewish face,” despite the fact that she is not Jewish. He later even threatened to kill them. The couple eventually called the police to the bar where Galliano was arrested.

What is even more interesting about the debate is how the Fashion Industry seems to be protecting him. Donatella Versace said in Milan that there was no justification for the insults but she doubted Galliano had meant to be racist. Giorgio Armani also defends Galliano believing he was caught in a "moment of weakness."

Photo courtesy of the Gothamist

Galliano’s fall from grace has seemed to make a bigger impact with the wearers of his brand. Recent Oscar winner and advertisement face of Dior, Natalie Portman, has disassociated herself from Galliano as she claims herself, “proudly Jewish.” In attempts to alleviate the situation, Dior stores are allowing gown returns for full refunds.

The Dior fashion house has allowed for Galliano to present his Fall/Winter 2011 collection for the last time. His final work was presented at the Rodin Museaum in a black tent with black chairs. In a sense, representing the funeral of Galliano’s presence at Dior.

In an interview with Gayle King, Diane Von Furstenberg states, “As the daughter of a Holocaust Survivor, I find what he said was absolutely unacceptable.” While he has apologized for his behavior, he carries a potential sentence of six months in prison and a fine of about $30,500 for his controversial remarks.

 

When you hit rock bottom, it seems the only way for Galliano to go is up. However, his future in the fashion industry holds little prospect.

Alexander McQueen, fit for a Queen?

While it is every little girl’s dream to have a fairy tale wedding, for Kate Middleton, her dream is coming true. As the anticipation of the impeding Royal Wedding builds, the question everyone is asking is, “What is she wearing?”

Alexander McQueen collection as seen in The Telegraph

The media is all a buzz of which designer Middleton will choose. According to British newspapers, she has chosen wedding dress designer Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen. The 36-year-old was promoted to top designer after the tragedy of McQueen’s suicide last year. 

Could it be a coincidence that the McQueen Fall/Winter 2011 collection began with an all white look? Sarah Burton describes her collection to Susannah Frankel in The Independent to be, “Icy, regal, and beautiful.” The dresses were detailed with delicate ruffled chiffon, embroidered tiny ivory pearls, and dissolved into clouds of feathers from the waist down. 

Photo courtesy of The Telegraph

Other top designers in the running include Monique Lhuillier, who thinks Middleton's dress should be "a modern mix of the traditional and contemporary," as stated in The Telegraph.  

Burton’s work first caught the attention of Kate Middleton in 2005 when she created an off-the-shoulder dress for the wedding of Sara Buys, the Duchess of Cornwall and Kate’s future stepmother-in-law.

London’s Sunday Times reported McQueen’s CEO, Jonathan Akeroyd, divulge to a colleague that the McQueen company had won the commission for Middleton’s April 29 wedding. However, Akeroyd later refuted the rumors stating, “No, not at all. I’m the CEO, I would know if we were doing it.”

Photo courtesy of CBS News

Even if the rumors were true, no designer or company would dare divulge the information. Middleton has made it clear her dress designer be kept a secret until her wedding day. This way, she can surprise Prince William when she walks down the aisle at Westminster Abbey.

While Burton continues to deny reports to Vogue UK regarding her involvement in the Royal Wedding claiming, “I’m not doing it.” We know better and believe Alexander McQueen is fit for a Queen.