Professional Updates

I just wanted to let my few dedicated readers know that I have been asked by Thomson Reuters to blog for Findlaw. As a result, I may not be able to post on From Runway to Highway Robbery as frequently as I used to.

I do plan to post as often as I can though. Please come back for more posts that are Fashion or Fashion IP related. I thank you for your wonderful support and look forward to seeing your comments on Findlaw's blogs too.

Is the Grecian Dress The Uniform of the Recessionista?

Leighton Meester in a goddess gown by Bottega Veneta.


It has been a slow week for fashion piracy, but I came across an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal that chronicles the rise and fall of the Grecian dress.

For example, check out Ms. Blake Lively from Gossip Girl in this Oscar de la Renta dress:



Basically the article details how during a a recession, there is a shift in clothing from the ostentatiously ornate construction of dresses to a looser more free flowing look in clothes. This shift signals the rise of the Grecian dress which is typically either one shoulder or strapless. The dress involves pleating and folds which are generally more forgiving to the body. As a result, more women can wear this type of gown:

"Designers say the economic downturn and resulting implosion of the luxury market has resurrected the Grecian dress, which in the last few decades has emerged as the go-to look at times of financial or social turmoil. Valerie Steele, director of the museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, notes that Grecian dresses were big in the 1970s, after the social revolution of the 1960s, as well as in the 1990s, after the excesses of the 1980s. 'We've been in this time of excess and we're in a clean moment now,' says Zac Posen, who showed Grecian-style dresses in his fall 2009 runway show. 'The Grecian dress is part of that clean moment.'"

One of the things that struck me was the near impossibility of actually being able to claim an IP claim on such a perennial design. When we look at actual silhouettes such as the Grecian dress, strapless dresses, column dresses, and wrap dresses it becomes clear why legislators are loathe to pass a bill that would protect fashion designers.

It is hard to decipher what is piracy and what is a normal fashion fad that is open to all designers and retailers. It will be interesting to notice how many designers will incorporate this trend into their own lines.

Jean Paul Gaultier Sets His Sights on Target

It turns out that all of those rumblings earlier in September were true: Jean Paul Gaultier is doing a collaborative line for the large retailer Target.

According to NY Magazine: "The rumors were true! Jean Paul Gaultier is doing a Target collection. It will hit more than 250 Target stores across the country and Target.com on March 7, and be available through April 11. Gaultier is the third established designer to do a collection for the mass retailer (after Alexander McQueen and Anna Sui) under the Designer Collaboration series. Target makes the designers in this series choose a muse for their collections. McQueen chose Leila Moss, Sui chose the girls of Gossip Girl, and guess what Gaultier chose?

Jean Paul Gaultier for Target pays tribute to the American woman, celebrating the forces of style both past and present in American pop culture, the retailer said."

I am so excited!

While the recession has created a cesspool of knockoffs, it has also spawned the creative versioning of high fashion designers. Fashion is no longer just for a few individuals who can afford it, it is accessible to a more general consumer.

Again, while it is necessary to have a bill like the Design Piracy Prohibition Act passed, I worry if it will hinder this creative process that designers are going through in order to combat piracy. I don't think I have ever witnessed so many talented designers working to create affordable lines (not even during the 1990's recession).

It would be a shame to put all of that to an end once the bill is passed. What do you think?

Lawsuit of the Weak: It's Been UGGly for Kitson

The trendy hipster boutique Kitson which is favored by the likes of Nicole Richie and other young celebrities is filing a lawsuit against the Deckers which are the makers of the infamous Ugg boots.

According to WWD: On Oct. 8, the trendy retailer filed suit against Deckers in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging unfair trade practices, negligent misrepresentation, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, among other assertions in relation to the retailer’s sale of Ugg boots.

So basically, Kitson is complaining that Deckers engaged in unfair trade practices by selling their products in bulk at lower prices to retailers such as Macy's, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales in the Los Angeles area while they have had to pay full wholesale prices because they are a boutique.

While Deckers had promised price protection and competitive pricing for Kitson, I think that Kitson's allegations go a little too far. The suit alleges that because of bad publicity from podiatrists saying that the trendy boots are not good for the feet; sales have been slow and that Deckers does not take returns.

If you ask me, Kitson needs to take their issues up with their buyer. Once you sign a contract, you agree to its terms. It seems like Kitson should have known what it was getting itself into when it agreed to carry Deckers product.

I guess we will see how it plays out in court now.

Badgley Mischka Embraces Versioning

Badgley Mischka has announced that it will introduce a more affordable line of bridal wear called Mark and James that will be launched in the spring. The dresses reflect the brand's typical light, airy yet elegant design aesthetic as you can see from the photo above.

In other news, the brand is also embracing the HUGE HSN consumer base this month:

(Reuters)

"NEW YORK, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) ("Iconix" or the "Company"),today announced that the Company's luxury brand Badgley Mischka® will be partnering with HSN, a leading interactive lifestyle network and retail destination. Badgley Mischka will launch its exclusive American Glamour collection with HSN during a special two-hour prime-time show featuring Mark Badgley and James Mischka live on the shopping network at 9 PM on November 17.

American Glamour will bring the luxury aesthetic of Badgley Mischka to everyday, attainable fashion. The collection will include apparel, accessories and jewelry at accessible price points. Retail prices will range from $39 to $499. The exclusive new line will convey the key elements of glamour and sophistication that Badgley Mischka is famous for to classic essentials that can transition from day to evening.

Mark Badgley and James Mischka stated,"We are very pleased to be launching American Glamour with HSN. It is exciting to be able to reach out directly to both existing and new customers and offer them glamorous and chic pieces that transition from day to evening easily and are quintessentially Badgley Mischka."

Neil Cole, Chairman and CEO, Iconix stated,"We look forward to working with HSN on this licensing agreement for American Glamour. Mark and James are incredibly talented and we are confident that the collaboration will be a positive one for both HSN and Iconix."

Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN, Inc. said, "Badgley Mischka is a leading fashion brand and we are thrilled to have Mark Badgley and James Mischka be a part of the HSN family. Through the partnership with HSN, American Glamour will now provide women access to a brand they may not have been able to consider before. HSN is excited to bring such an innovative and well-recognized design duo to the forefront of the home shopping market."

The American Glamour line will also be available online at www.hsn.com
starting November 15."

Jimmy Choo Shoppers Need Coaching

Jimmy Choo is doing a collaboration with H&M. I have written about this collaboration before, but this is the first time I have heard about how shoppers are being prepped for the big day the collection drops in stores!


Racked has put together an article that details how Jimmy Choo and H&M are prepping their shoppers to be courteous: "Please wait in line."

How interesting! While I typically love Jimmy Choo, some of the shoes seem more "working girl" than I would like. What do you think?

Megan Fox Lives Up To Her Last Name

MILAN (Reuters) - American actress Megan Fox will strip down to her underwear for Giorgio Armani's Emporio Armani fashion brand, the Italian design house said on Wednesday. Fox, who starred in the "Transformers" films, follows in the footsteps of "Posh Spice" Victoria Beckham who along with her soccer-playing husband David heads the Emporio Armani autumn/winter underwear campaign.

While this is more fashion related than IP related, I thought it was a juicy tidbit.

It will be interesting to see how she steams up these ads because Armani also signed Cristiano Ronaldo to replace fellow footballer David Beckham. Will there be a possible hookup between the two? Hmmmmm....