Mr. Brickson, of Minnesota, said a longtime donor to his store had recently showed up in tears. “She had given so much to the Salvation Army over the years,” he said. “She never thought she was going to be a recipient of the services.”
fashion
Thrift Stores Running Out Of Pants
By 9.17.08
Backlash: Etsy.com's "Sexy" Mass Murderers?
By 8.11.08
There’s some backlash brewing against Etsy.com for a fashion article about recreating “Bonnie Parker’s look” in which they describe Bonnie & Clyde as, “rather infamous characters in U.S. history, and for good reason: honestly, what’s sexier than a nefarious duo driving cross country on a crime spree of such massive and public proportion?” The author of the article is being taken to task in the comments and the Etsy Bitch blog has picked up the story as well.
By 5.30.08
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As if you needed a reason not to wear Crocs, here’s another story of a kid whose foot got caught in an escalator while wearing the damn things. The kid was fine, the escalator was repaired, the bottom of the Croc is chewed up, and “Crocs stands by its design.” [CBS5.com]
By 3.14.08
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Kohl’s has signed musician Avril Lavigne to be the face of Abbey Dawn, a juniors lifestyle brand. A perfect synergy, one is just as much “punk” as the other. [NYmag via Don’t Believe The Hypebeast]
"Made In Italy" Is Italian For "Made In Sweatshops"
By 2.23.08
That $1,500 Prada bag may have been stitched by an illegal Chinese immigrant slaving away in a Tuscan factory. The tentacles of globalization are starting to snake dirt-cheap foreign laborers into once-protected enclaves known for their quality swag.
Men's Wearhouse Can't Help You, Get Out
By 2.4.08
Clint at Seattlest went shopping for a suit for his wedding. The wedding isn’t until August, but he and his beyonce just wanted to see what Men’s Wearhouse had to offer. Mostly, they had to offer a really rude sales clerk who told them to get out of her store and come back in the summer when they were ready to shop.
Virginia Beach Seizes "Obscene" Abercrombie Posters
By 2.4.08
This weekend, Virginia Beach police commandeered giant photographs in a local Abercrombie & Fitch clothing store. City Code Section 22.31, makes it a crime to display “obscene materials in a business that is open to juveniles.” One of the pictures shows several bare-chested boys running through a field wearing jeans. The one in the font’s jeans are at half-mast, exposing a substantial portion of his dime slot. The store had been asked to take the photographs down several times before but didn’t comply. Is showing a kid’s butt crack in a larger-than-life-sized picture a bit strange? Yes. Obscene? We’re not sure, but Virginia Beach, the city that tried to ban public cursing, is.
By 12.18.07
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And now we pause for a bit of shopping schedenfraude: Kate Moss’ collection is now “heavily discounted” at Barney’s. Can one sustain a coke habit at 50% off? [Barney’s via Racked]
7 Of The Most Controversial Ads In Fashion History
By 12.14.07
It’s Friday—let’s look at pictures. Debonair Magazine has a rundown of some of the most controversial fashion ads in history. Well, “in history” is a bit overstated, since the oldest is a Jordache spread from 1979, and by today’s standards it looks like something from a brochure for Build-A-Bear. However, a few of the more recent ads are borderline NSFW, especially the pornoriffic Tom Ford For Men. Then again, they all appeared in a fashion mag at one point or another, so if your boss is not so good at debating, you can argue that point and maybe get away with it.
By 12.6.07
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First there was jeans and shirts. Now Nike is reissuing old sneakers “already-vintaged.” Will they fall apart in a few months, just like the real thing? [Nice Kicks via Don’t Believe The Hypebeast]
Gold Llame Window Display Confuses Shopper Into Thinking American Apparel Is Store For Hookers
By 11.1.07
Because we loathe the peculiar iteration of kiddie porn that passes for American Apparel’s advertising, we got a kick out of the photo and description submitted to our Flickr pool by reader (and #1Consumerist reader Flickr pool submitter!) Maulleigh.
Amy Poehler And Will Arnett Attempt To Save The Gap
By 10.31.07
According to OK! magazine, Amy Poehler of Saturday Night Live and husband, Will Arnett, from Arrested Development are the latest celebrities to attempt to save the GAP by wearing its clothing in advertisements.
Tommy Hilfiger Only Available At Macy's
By 10.26.07
Macy’s and designer Tommy Hilfiger have reached a deal that will make the store Hilfiger’s exclusive “department store” retailer.
Is This Fashion Ad Promoting Gang Rape?
By 10.22.07
How offensive do you find this Dolce & Gabbana ad? The folks at NOW Foundation have it at the top of their list of offensive ads, describing it as “a scene evoking a gang rape and reeking of violence against women.” In fact, it was banned in Spain earlier this year after public outcry, but was published in Esquire here in the U.S.
By 10.19.07
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111 shirtless men of average builds prank a huge Abercromibe & Fitch store. [ImprovEverywhere]
Streetwear 101
By 10.19.07
If you’re not familiar with streetwear culture, it involves lots of limited edition sneakers and worshiping Japanese youths, and that’s about all you need to know. If you need to know more, read the satirical “So You Wanna Be A Streetwearer?” over at Don’t Believe The Hypebeast:
4. Buying IS rebelling. The more you buy, the more you’re showing that you’re against the system of mass consumption. Get as many overpriced sneakers, tees, jeans, jackets and shades as you can. Also make sure that you have at least one (two max) small luxury items like a Gucci belt or LV wallet, to show off your well rounded sense of style.
So You Wanna Be A Streetwearer? [Don’t Believe The Hypebeast]
By 9.21.07
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Zara, a Spanish fashion chain, pulled a $79 bicycle-and-flowers themed handbag from shelves because of a customer complaint that it also had green swastikas embroidered on it. The bags were made in India and the swastika is a commonly used Hindu symbol. Zara claims the design it originally approved did not have the swastikas. [Reuters]
