High-fashion Designers Take Over the Gap

Customers shopping at Gap this week will find the 2008 Design Edition collections by some of today’s hottest new designers. Phillip Lim (3.1 Phillip Lim), Band of Outsiders’ Scott Sternberg, Michael Bastian, Philip Crangi and threeASFOUR’s Gabi Asfour, Adi Gil & Angela Donhauser all contributed to the simple, yet chic designs that hit Gap’s displays this month. All the talented designers were nominees for this year’s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund–created to support emerging American fashion designers through monetary help as well as mentorship.

The designs all draw inspiration from the Gap’s classic white shirt. In addition to the fresh spin on the classic white Gap shirt, Phillip Crangi designed a line of jewelry. Michael Bastian created looks for Gap’s male customer. The collection ranges in price from $35 to $88.

I think this is a strategic, innovative PR pairing for both the Gap and the CFDA. The Design Editions at the Gap enable up and coming designers to get their name out to a broader consumer-base. Instead of only selling to the upper-crest of society, these designers are able to market their creations to a more mainstream consumer-base. The collection also draws in a wider consumer-base for Gap by using the names of high-fashion designers in middle-market retail. Followers of fashion will read about these designers’ collections at the Gap and want to check out what they are offering. Not to mention, all the shirts (and the jewelry) are super cute!

Happy Earth Day!

Tomorrow is Earth Day, and it’s time to celebrate! Some amazing brands have new products that are both stylish and environmentally and socially conscious. At least if we are going to consume, we can consume knowing the products we buy came about from environmentally friendly practices.

J Brand, the jean brand made famous by Kate Moss and Katie Holmes, introduces its Green Label. Made from organic cotton and low-impact dyes, the jeans come in two styles–the Monroe and the Love Story.

American Apparel promotes its organic line as part of the Earth Day celebration. The line features everything from men’s briefs to infant one-pieces. All the products are made from 100% organic cotton.

This last product supports a different cause. Inspired by an Argentine shoe, TOMS Shoes mission states that for every pair purchased the company will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. As a TOMS Shoes owner, I vouch for the comfort of these shoes, and when I am wearing them I know a child somewhere in the world is walking around in comfort, too!

Love this earth; it is beautiful. Support worthy causes. Happy Earth Day!

A Strategic PR Move by Vogue

Last month’s cover of Vogue generated a lot of media coverage. Critics called the magazine’s cover, which featured basketball player Lebron James and supermodel Giselle Bundchen, controversial because they felt it fueled racial stereotypes. The cover, photographed by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz, was compared to the 1933 movie poster for King Kong.

Okay, so there is a definite resemblance. As a long-time Vogue subscriber, I am familiar with Leibovitz’s work. She often uses fictional stories as inspiration for her work, such as her Alice in Wonderland shoot for the December 2003 issue of Vogue. I strongly believe Leibovitz intentionally posed the two in these positions with them being fully aware of what they were doing.

In terms of public relations, Vogue did a good job in keeping its staff, under editor-in-cheif Anna Wintour, quiet. One of the only statements Vogue did release was by its spokesperson Patrick O’Connell.

“We think Lebron James and Gisele Bundchen look beautiful together and we are honored to have them on the cover.”

The magazine declined further comment. Vogue got the media buzzing about its cover and probably generated a lot of revenue at the same time. By declining to address the controversy, Vogue stands behind the cover while still maintaining a somewhat neutral ground. As for James whose picture critics say perpetuates the stereotype of the angry, black male, he is proud of the cover and says he could care less what other people are saying.

Welcome!

Thanks for checking out my blog, everyone!

I will be blogging about fashion relating to the PR world.

I am a senior at the University of Oregon majoring in public relations with a minor in Women’s studies. I am especially interested in fashion. I hope to work in fashion pr, and my ultimately dream is to be a fashion editor for a major fashion magazine. I have studied fashion design during a summer session at the Art Institute of California – San Francisco. Last spring, I had the opportunity to intern in a fashion buying office in Florence, Italy. Currently, I am a member of PRSSA and Allen Hall Public Relations. This term, I am working as the Marketing Assistant for the UO Journalism School’s FLUX magazine.

I plan to move up to Portland, OR in the fall to look for my first job and start my “real” life. I hope to stay in Portland for a couple of years and then move to either, New York, or San Francisco.

My passions and hobbies include: fashion, yoga, animals (particularly, my 5-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Tilly), living a healthy and active lifestyle, vegetarianism, reading Vogue, big cities (Paris, New York, Rome and San Francisco top my list), organic farming, going to outdoor markets, writing for the Emerald, styling, being with my friends, cooking and baking, and enjoying the beauty of this life!