Pinkie Promise

  Once I get home to NC, which will be sometime next week, I promise numerous blog posts--I have so much to tell but I have just been so busy getting ready to leave NYC. I must say that I am sad to leave; I have been having such a great time I don't see any reason to return to school and rural Virginia! Ha. But I know that once I am back on campus I will be excited for another year of college. Today is my second to last day at work and the weather could not be any more perfect. I wish I could transplant my computer to sit in front of the fountains out front of the building instead of sitting in this freezing office!
  Just a few fun facts to give people an update of my life:

1. Dunkin' Donuts Iced latte's are delicious, less expensive than Starbucks and you get more for the money
2. I am obsessed with Instagram and Le Pain Quotidien 
3. My style is morphing into a rocker-chic feel and I plan on investing (if the stock market turns around) in the Frye 12R Harness boot and a McQueen scarf with skulls (if I can find one reasonably priced)
4. Natasha and I are going to tea at the Plaza on Saturday and I couldn't think of a better goodbye/send off from the City than that (we will be getting the New Yorker tea obviously)
5. Today is a great day to be alive. Go outside, smile, and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Oh Henri

  Anyone who knows New York, knows that Bendel's is the place to find that special something to complete your outfit. Its like stepping into accessory heaven, where all things glitter and shine, and the neutral brown/white color scheme creates the perfect shopping environment. Although as the broke college student that I am, I cannot afford much in the store, I always enjoy wandering around the upstairs area. I have also learned that it is better to take the side stairs near the main entrance that the back ones, because then you don't have to walk through the beauty section--the beauty section is the only downside to Bendel's: you will be asked at least three times if you want to try "product X", or smell this wonderful "perfume Y" as you walk the whole 20 yards to the staircase; it just drives me nuts.
  Anyways, last weekend I decided that my "trademark NY purchase" would be one of their lovely scarves. I wanted to buy something that I could keep forever, wouldn't get worn out like shoes, and that is versatile. I fell in love with their "Bendel Loves NY" scarf, but it is only 22"x22" and not large enough for me to put to good use. After about 20 minutes of touching, unfolding, and staring at multiple scarves, I fell in love with their limited edition "Girl Takes Off." Its got the iconic Chrysler and Empire State Building in the background, and Swarovski crystals spot the night sky. Its perfect. And I actually may go back today and buy the smaller Bendel Love NY one to frame and hang on my wall... who knows!

Shades on the Subway

 

    Dear commuters; you are neither a celebrity or a rapper, so unless you just got your eyes dilated, take your sunglasses off once you are on the platform! There is literally ZERO sunshine down there and although those florescent lights may not be all that flattering, everyone is standing under them, and trust me, your shades don't make you look any better. Wearing sunglasses indoors or at night is so 2001 (unless you are famous of course).

Calling All W&L Ladies

     If you go to W&L, you know that there are two items that every student is sure to bring out with them at night: their cell phone, and their swipe card (if they haven't lost it).  The ever present carry-all my first year was the Vera Bradley. This unexciting, overused, and abundantly common cotton handbag designer could be seen all over campus, all day, every day. The designer specializes in paisley pattern, in every color combination imaginable. Now I will confess, that I too succumbed to this trend, and purchased a case that fit my phone and a few credit cards inside (including my swipe which I will add, I have yet to loose!). The problem with said cases is that they are cotton so they absorb liquids and stain quickly, not to mention, EVERYONE had one. And I hate having the same thing as everyone else. Hate it.

     Sophomore year the ladies of Lexington made the switch to the newly back in style, cross-body bag. I love this trend because it stays on you the whole night, while you dance, walk, dorm-storm, or whatever else it is you do in the late hours of the night. It also has the potential to carry much more than the small hand held Vera's for those of us who also wish to take out say a camera or chap stick. I currently have four cross bodys and I love them.
      This year I see a change coming yet again; of course many girls with still be sporting their side satchels at night, but I have just discovered a wristlet that trumps them all. This new Michael Kors has a built in case for your iPhone and slits to carry your credit and swipe cards, and some cash. It comes in patent leather black, python, and gold. I personally prefer the python, but will most likely buy the black since patent leather holds up much better against the forces of college life. Oh yeah and I guess its just too bad if you're not team iPhone...

Shoes vs. the Law

  

There has recently been a lot of coverage in the papers (the fashion section of course) about Christian Louboutin and his claim that the red sole is his trademark. Well the matter of the fact is that other designers had used red soles on their shoes many years before he coined his red bottoms.  Valentino himself had decided to use red sole to match his trademark red dresses 20 years before Louboutin coined his own. Loubi began a lawsuit against other designers like YSL who also painted some of their soles red, and since Loubi has the trademark on it, he is a bit upset.  So what is a designer to do in said situation? Can you really claim to own the color of the bottom of a shoe when other more established and prominent designers have used it before you? If you would like to find out how Christian had his red epiphany, click here, its actually a quite interesting story. 

  On a similar note, one of the biggest threats designers face now more than ever is the issue of knockoffs. Sure, you can find a $20 Louis Vuitton Speedy in China Town, but now you can also find the Proenza PS1 in Target. Lawyers who tackle these types of situations have a concentration in intellectual property rights, which I personally find fascinating. In this case, Proenza Schouler infuriated by the fact that Target, who they had been planning on teaming up with to create their own retail label together (like so many other designers nowadays), created a "look-a-like" of their signature PS1 bag. Now, I understand how a designer can get mad when they see their bags being knocked off, but no offense, this PS1 bag is nothing special. This lawsuit doesn't stand a chance because honestly I  have seen people carrying this kind of bag around for years (and they are most definitely not paying 2G for it)! This bag is very simple and generic and so the chances of any chain store carrying it are beyond high. For more details on the subject, click.

What are your opinions on the subject? Do you really think that Proenza has a right to claim this bag design as their own? Please do tell.