I’ve been working in fashion for over ten years and I know that everyone gets knocked off.  However with the latest trademark laws to protect designers, a lot of companies are going to court and the original designers are winning.  This brings me to my current rant:

My company, Susan & Veronica, designed the original “strapless apron”.  I designed this style in 2005 while I was still designing handbags because neck straps irritated my skin and snagged my hair.  When I would bring aprons to my fashion event, they would sell out so in 2007 I partnered with a brunette and we created Susan & Veronica.  We’ve had national press, even won the “Leg Up” Award from Spanx and have been carried in stores in the US and across seas.

Our biggest competitor is Jessie Steele, a company that manufactures in China (we manufacture in Brooklyn).  Their sales rep came in our booth at a trade show and touched our products, which is a big no-no with trade show rules but we didn’t file a complaint.  Then we find out that they created a tag line:

Wow, this sounds just like our tag line that we have copyrighted:

I just found out that they are now designing strapless aprons.  I wonder where they got the idea…  Let’s take a look at their description:

Hmmm, that sounds JUST like our copy on our website:

Hmm flattering and functional… where did they get that idea??

Top is theirs and the bottom is ours.  

While they say imitation is the best form of flattery, why do I feel so violated?

What’s that old saying - birds of a feather flock together?  I am smitten with jewelry designer Nikos Koulis and his newest collection inspired by campy peacock feathers and decadent gemstones.

What did one shepard say to the other when he heard thunder?

Let’s get the flock out of here.

Daphne Groeneveld gets a colorful make-over in About Face for V Magazine.

David Benoliel for Icon July 2011

Yes to everything Johnny Cash.

GPOYW

In 2000, MTV had it’s summer beach house in San Diego.  When production wrapped, I rented a car and drove cross country by myself.  

I’m moving out to LA for a while for work and was flipping through photos of Venice Beach and Santa Monica.   I miss those Chloe sunglasses.

Music is your special friend, dance on fire like it intends. Music is your only friend… Until the end. #RIP #RayManzarek #thedoors #music #musicismyboyfriend

Have you ever had one of those days where you’re just constantly hungry?  I have been eating non-stop all day long, consuming two veggie burgers, two bagels, a bag of cherries, french fries, blood orange sorbet, popcorn and a bag of Twizzlers.  And I am still starving.

What do you eat when you just can’t feel satisfied?  I may need to call for delivery because there’s only condiments left in my fridge.

Boston Magazine uses marathon runners’ sneakers shaped as a heart as a unique and sensitive way to tell the story of the victims from last month’s bombing.  The symbolic photograph is accompanied by stories of participating runners and has received an overwhelming reception.

Since I will be spending the next 6 months in Los Angeles, I better make these fierce reflective Ray Bans my next purchase.  But I can’t decide which one I like better.  Can you help me choose?

Gwen Stefani by Lorenzo Agius… love love love!

Emma Watson in a 40’s inspired stylish setting for W Magazine.