NEW YORK, United States The landscape of fashion communication and commerce continues to change radically, and not just for big brand innovators like Burberry and Louis Vuitton. For a whole generation of formerly emerging designers including Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang and Thakoon Panichgul digital innovation is now front-and-centre of their strategies for taking their businesses to the next level.
On Thursday at the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference part of Social Media Week here in New York I interviewed Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, who told a rapt audience of more than 200 fashion bloggers how social media is dramatically changing the way they think about the way they work, the way they sell and the way they communicate with consumers, driving sales and interest in their brand from a younger, tech-savvy consumer.
Following a return to form at his A/W 2011 show on Saturday, the ever energetic Alexander Wang is opening his first flagship store here in New York this week, but is also making substantial investments in his online presence, with a revamped website and online store to open later this year. We see digital as fundamental to our development as a brand, and one of the most powerful ways for us to connect with our customers, said Dennis Wang, the designers brother and CPO.
And big digital moves are also being made by Thakoon Panichgul, the Thai-American designer who became a household name to consumers around the world when Michelle Obama wore his floral print dress on the evening Barack Obama accepted the 2008 Democratic Nomination, and as one of the stars of The September Issue, chronicling Anna Wintours reign as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue.
Today, Panichgul confidently explains to BoF how the brand new Thakoon.com will bring his brand straight to consumers, bypassing those once uber-powerful magazines.
BoF: At our Breakfast Club meeting late last year, you expressed some frustration at the state of digital in fashion. Is that why you are now taking matters into your own hands and leading the charge?
Thakoon: Yes, in part. I want us to speak a little louder and have more control of what we are saying in the digital world, as opposed just having an audience that justs chats about the brand. I think the frustration also came out of a little lack of understanding on my part; but now that Im really in it and understand it, Im totally excited by it and enjoy taking part in the community.
BoF: The initiatives planned for Thakoon.com include big investments in content, commerce and community initiatives. How will the new Thakoon.com help drive the business? How will you measure success?
Thakoon: Thakoon.com will allow us to communicate our message to a global audience. For us it is more about branding and letting our customer know who we are as opposed to showcasing product. We want to allow visitors to make a personal connection with the brand. There is so much character behind a brand that gets lost in translation when going through the traditional channels of designer to retailer to consumer. There is value in this character it is our DNA. We want to show our customer what we find so special about our brand.
BoF: How will you measure success?
We will measure our success by how well we stimulate and engage our consumer with our content. Our main objective is to increase brand awareness, so this increased awareness will be a true measure of the success of the initiative.
BoF: You will be revealing a series of video webisodes on your new website beginning today showing what happens behind the scenes in your studio. But some people say that having cameras around all the time leads people to feel like they have to perform. How do you keep things real, knowing that you are constantly being watched?
Thakoon: We are in such rapid growth mode, so there is so much happening all the time that im focused on the job in front of me that I dont even notice the camera. Also the camera is super tiny and the filming is very casual so that makes it easier. We dont have a boom and a crew with lights so theres no performance necessary. The way we are documenting is much more intimate, spontaneous.
BoF: Will viewers be able to participate or is this purely a voyeuristic experience?
Thakoon: I think it will evolve naturally, like anything. Its totally new for us that we will figure out what is interesting and whats not over time. But I believe in the organic process, doing things as it comes because it has to be genuine. So anything that we do voyeuristically or if we ask for audience participation, all of that will come if it makes sense.
BoF: Your e-commerce site is due to launch in the summer. Is the entire Thakoon product range available to buy online?
Thakoon: For now, we will not make the entire range available. Our philosophy has always been slow and steady. We want to start slowly, offering a selection what we feel are key pieces.
BoF: The new Thakoon.com is billed as the first stage of the companys new media initiative. Whats to come?
Thakoon: I think of it as a new platform, where we can really play. Obviously it would be exciting to do ad campaigns, but in time. For now, this new platform really gives us so many opportunities, because you have control, you have a voice, you have a great audience. Its a new way of marketing, which is totally exciting. The skys the limit.
Thakoon.com launches today with a livestream of Thakoons A/W 2011 show at 6pm EST.
Report: 'Spider-Man' Tangled in Labor Department Web
Report: 'Spider-Man' Tangled in Labor Department Web
The Foxwoods Theater, the home of 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,' is seen in this Oct. 5, 2010 file photo.
NEW YORK -- The New York State Department of Labor has issued two safety violations against the Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark," the stunt-heavy show that has been plagued by injuries to cast members, a newspaper reported.
Citing an anonymous state official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to release the findings, The New York Times reported Saturday that the safety violations were related to accidents last year.
The official said one violation involved an actor who fell more than 20 feet during a performance; the other was related to two performers injured while rehearsing a stunt in which cast members are catapulted from the back to the front of the stage.
No financial penalties have been imposed on the production, but state safety officials will perform surprise inspections from now on, the official said. Further violations could lead to the withdrawal of variances issued last year allowing aerial stunts that involve Spider-Man and the other characters.
Show spokesman Rick Miramontez told The Associated Press in an e-mail early Sunday: "The production is in full compliance of DOL guidelines and will continue to work with state officials to maintain the highest safety standards at all times."
Labor Department spokesman Leo Rosales did not immediately respond to requests for comment by the AP on Saturday.
The producers have 60 days to appeal the Labor Department's findings.
"Spider-Man" has become Broadway's most expensive show and its opening has been delayed four times since beginning previews Nov. 28. The show is now scheduled to open March 15.
The production is led by "The Lion King" director Julie Taymor, with music by U2's Bono and The Edge.
Cast members injured include an actor playing the web-slinger who fell 35 feet during a performance and suffered a skull fracture and cracked vertebrae, and a lead actress who dropped out after she suffered a concussion.
Fashion Week is in full swing in New York, and even there people can't help but bring up Twilight. Refinery29 got a chance to talk to figure skating champ Johnny Weir after he participated in Elise Overland's show. And what did they want to know?
1. Thriller / Heads Will Roll 2. Need You Now 3. Shes Not There 4. Fat Bottomed Girls 5. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 6. Firework 7. Take Me Or Leave Me 8. Dont You Want Me 9. Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (featuring Gwyneth Paltrow) 10. Kiss (featuring Gwyneth Paltrow) 11. Landslide 12. Get It Right 13. Loser Like MeTweet
Titan Books Will Release âSucker Punch: The Art of the Film by Zack Snyderâ
Titan Books Will Release Sucker Punch: The Art of the Film by Zack Snyder
Cant wait for Sucker Punch?
Titan Books will release the official film book called, Sucker Punch: The Art of the Film by Zack Snyder on February 15.
The 256 pages-art book will detail the worlds and characters of the film with production art and stunning photographs by Clay Enos.
Here is the books synopsis:
From Zack Snyder, the director of 300 and Watchmen, comes Sucker Punch, an epic action fantasy that takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl, whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality. Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her but her incredible adventures blur the lines between whats real and what is imaginary with potentially tragic consequences.
A limited number run of 750 copies will be in an exclusive slipcase and signed on a special tipped-in sheet by Snyder. The limited edition will also have an exclusive giclee print, created a signed by Alex Pardee, the artist who has brought his unique style to the film.
The limited edition art book is available for pre-order for $75 only on Amazon by clicking here. The non-autographed copy is also available through Amazon by clicking here for $23.07.
I saw the book as a visually interesting way to deconstruct the process of designing and prepping a filmpeeling it apart layer by layer, said Snyder. So much amazing artwork is generated throughout the development process of a film, especially one that occupies so many different worlds and environments. I wanted to be able to share that in a meaningful way, beyond whats captured on screen.
The film stars Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung and Carla Gugino. The film will be in theaters on March 25th.
OH MY GAGA! Less than 2 days until BORN THIS WAY! Its so close I can almost smell it! It smells like Glitter mixed with Rock & Roll
Speaking of Born This Way, the lovely Vicky Marsden has made some amazing BTW fan art as well as some other amazing drawings!!
Enjoy!
Gaga is my Eternal Muse. I find that as soon as I finish one drawing, shes already inspired me to do another. In fact, she sometimes inspires me half way through!! This is especially the case when her truly amazing remix was recently revealed. I had to stop everything I was doing and draw my I dont speak German.. picture.
Well I dont speak German but
Das ist erstaunliche Arbeit! Das ist gut! Wunderbare!!!
Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Walken, Twilight franchise star Ashley Greene and Adam Beach from the upcoming summer release Cowboys And Aliens will star in mystical drama Boom Boom Boom which Arclight Films is selling here.
Bono serves as executive producer on the project alongside Wim Wenders. Production is scheduled to commence this summer in New Mexico on what the producers describe as a magical tale set in a desert milieu.
When a young woman embarks on a quest to get to the bottom of an old family secret she encounters a pair of retired Vaudeville stars and in the process their lives are changed.
Lian Lunson will direct from his screenplay and will produce alongside Aaron Lubin. CAA represents US rights.
This has been a vision of mine for a very long time, Lunson said. The story captures the essences of everyday life but in a fairy tale landscape. It is a dream to be working with Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Walken, both of whom are playing roles unlike anything theyve done before.
Arclight is also tempting EFM buyers with the upcoming Joe Dante teen horror comedy Monster Love
Come on, girls! Do you believe in Madonna? Because Lady Gaga has got something to say about Express Yourself, and shes turned Madonnas fourth-best single of 1989 into her own instant-classic club anthem, Born This Way. Except its actually much better than Express Yourself, because its faster, with Gaga chanting Dont be a drag / Just be a queen. Born This Way sums up everything gaudy and glorious about Gaga, all her politics and sex and Catholic angst and smeared lipstick, in one admirably compact blast of disco aggression.
Born This Way is more than just Gagas heavily hyped return to the radio: Its an event, a statement, the most anticipatrended song in the history of recorded music, or at least since Britneys Hold It Against Me. Its also primed to become the first Number One hit in history to include the word transgendered. Gaga belts her self-esteem pep talk Subway kid, rejoice your truth? okaaaay! over the Eurodisco beats of producers Fernando Garibay and DJ White Shadow. She shouts to the gays, lesbians, bis, disabled, and monsters of all races, including the hilariously dippy line: Youre black, white, beige, chola descent / Youre Lebanese, youre Orient!
You can complain all you want about the tip of the leather cap to Express Yourself, which was just Madonnas knock-off of the Staple Singers Respect Yourself. But Born This Way is steeped in decades of gay disco tradition, with a heavy Seventies-style thump-thump from Patrick Hernandez 1979 classic Born to Be Alive. (Fun fact: one of Madonnas first professional gigs was as a back-up dancer on a Patrick Hernandez tour, and you can believe Gaga knows it.)
It might seem strange that Gaga chose to premiere her big comeback single for morning-radio commuters, rather than night people who hang out in clubs. By the time the drag queens crawl out of bed this afternoon, Born This Way will already be a TGIF wheres-the-party jam for ordinary strap-hanging douchebags all over the world. (Dont be a douche, just be a bag!) But thats part of the statement shes making here, because Born This Way is her brazen pop move: short, fast, going straight for the throat. Thats the most shocking thing about it.
I have to admit, I was expecting something more ponderous Gaga laboring to prove shes a Serious Artist who can get away with arty indulgences. I assumed that a couple of years of mega-fame would make the Lady sound more full of herself. But theres no dicking around here, no piano solos or Gregorian-chant interludes. Instead, she gets right down to unabashed pop kicks, because no matter how much inspiration she takes from the arty downtown scene she came from, her pet project has been revitalizing the Top 40. So she takes on Britney, Rihanna, Katy, Ke$ha and the rest of the radio queens, pimping her we-are-all-superstars message with a voice that reminds everyone who got this party started in the first place. Thats what makes Born This Way sound so audacious and so amazing.
"This is far from a slam-dunk case," says L.A. criminal defense attorney Steve Sitkoff of the allegation that the actress, 24, stole a $2,500 necklace. "All her attorney has to do is convince one juror it was an innocent misunderstanding and she could walk, unless they decide to retry her again."
Adds L.A. criminal defense attorney Harland Braun: "Even if she's convicted, I doubt she'll get state prison time because she's not a physical threat to the public. Prison is generally regarded as a place for hardened criminals, not someone who clearly has mental issues. She has a defensible case."
Experts also agree that her past theft allegations could be used against her in court depending on whether the judge finds the accusations relevant.
Here are among the possible resolutions to the actress's case:
Lohan could reach a plea deal without going to trial, and be sentenced to anywhere from six months to a year in county jail for the alleged theft as well as for violating her probation. "In this case, the court could figure out a way to make sure she does substantial time and forbid her from early release due to overcrowding," Sitkoff says.
She could also strike a deal in which she only gets felony probation with no jail time and if she stays out of trouble for three years, the judge could reduce the charge to a misdemeanor. Lohan's attorney Shawn Chapman Holley stated on Thursday she was seeking this as a possible outcome.
The actress wins at trial by convincing jurors she didn't intend to steal. However, Lohan could still face a probation violation and return to jail without a conviction in the theft case.
Lohan could go to trial and lose, and could be subject to harsher punishment if the judge decides she was being deceitful to the court. "But if she loses at trial, I can't see her getting more than eight months in state prison," Braun says.
Jennifer Aniston Has Been a Secret Perfumer for Years
Jennifer Aniston Has Been a Secret Perfumer for Years
Richard Young/Startraks
Jennifer Aniston might have debuted her first official fragrance just weeks agobut it turns out shed already honed her skills crafting signature scents for her inner circle. I wanted to create my own fragrance because for years I would make scented oils and lotions for my girlfriends for wedding showers, baby showers and birthdays, says this weeks PEOPLE cover girl. I would create a personalized scent for them, so when I was offered the opportunity to design my own fragrance I jumped at the chance. The debut scent, Jennifer Aniston, is a melange of notes that are nostalgic for her, she says, but that are also universal, smelling slightly different on each person who wears it. I wanted to incorporate some scents that I love most, especially living in Southern California, like jasmine, sandalwood, violet and musk, she explains. It took over a year to get the fragrance just as I wanted it. Buy the scent for yourself at sephora.com, and read more from Aniston in this weeks PEOPLE magazine, on newsstands now.
Katy Perry, Eminem and Johnny Depp rule at Peopleâs Choice Awards 2011
Katy Perry, Eminem and Johnny Depp rule at Peoples Choice Awards 2011
Katy Perry, Eminem and Johnny Depp rule at Peoples Choice Awards 2011
THE LONG awaited Peoples Choice Awards 2011 left the audiences as well as the spectators bedazzled when a host of awards were given out to some of the ideal obloquy in the commerce which included Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, Adam Sandler and person Zac Efron. Adding colour to the entire event were the Kardashian siblings including Khloe, who walked in with her red tresses along with her husband. Her sisters, Kim and Kourtney were seen giving company to her.
Hollywood hunk Johnny Depp won the ideal person trophy for his role in the hit flick, Alice in Wonderland after beating the Twilight duo Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. However, the final Twilight flick, Eclipse was the huge winner in the event as it went on to clinch four gongs for favourite movie, favourite drama movie, favourite on-screen team and ideal actress trophy for Kristen Stewart.
Actor Zac Efron was given an honor for favourite film star under 25 whereas, comedian Adam Sandler received the favourite comedy star trophy for his role in the film Grown Ups.
The total list of winners at the Peoples Choice Awards 2011 are:
Movies:
Favorite Movie: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Favorite Motion picture Actor: Johnny Depp Favorite Motion picture Actress: Kristen Stewart Favorite Action Movie: Iron Man 2 Favorite Action Star: Jackie Chan Favorite Family Movie: Toy Story 3 Favorite Drama Movie: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Favorite Comedy Movie: Grown Ups Favorite Comedic Star: Adam Sandler Favorite On Screen Team: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner) Favorite Motion picture Star Under 25: Zac Efron Favorite Horror Movie: A Nightmare on Elm Street
Sam's trip down memory lane is an unpleasant one in "Unforgiven"
BI'm pretty sure that the end of last night's Supernatural made me pass out in fear. All I know is that after it ended, I hit Twitter to express my complete and utter sadness that Sam appears to be gnawing at his memory wall faster than we anticipated, and then I woke up three hours later exactly where I had been sitting when I tweeted with the same ugly pit in my stomach. Ugh. This show!
The good news is that I've recovered enough now to rewind and recap how we got to last night's big, scary moment:
Last night's episode was not a normal Supernatural episode by any means. Much of the story was actually told via flashbacks to Sam's robo months when he was hunting with Grandpa Samuel. But in order for Sam to remember those days, he had to scratch at the wall in his mind that was put their to protect him from his memories of hell -- you know, the ones that will likely turn him into a "drooling mess" if he ever remembers fully. (Sigh of fear.) We actually kicked off the episode with one of said flashbacks.
In it, Sam and Samuel were shown one year prior working a case. Sam was shooting unidentified objects off camera, and Samuel had a look of concern on his face. (At which point we were all probably thinking the same thing, 'Yeah, that's definitely a great sign.') As they fled the scene of this apparent crime, a local policeman caught up with them, and upon seeing Sam's shirt covered in blood, threatened to arrest them. Not liking that idea, robo-Sam beat his face in. Again, Gramps, who I'd personally always pegged as a pretty violent guy, chastised Sam for his reaction. "You think there are maybe calmer ways we could have done all that?" he said. Sam didn't care, and they drove off, leaving the cop on the ground beaten (and me horrified).
When we returned to present day, the now-more-innocent-faced, normal Sam was watching bad TV in a cruddy hotel room when Dean walked in with fast food. (Ah, it's these familiar sights that make me want to wrap my arms around our recently re-souled Winchester and never let him go. I especially felt this way during this episode because the contrast between the two versions of the character was presented to us so clearly.) Just as they were talking about how quiet it had been lately (jinx), Sam received a mysterious text message with coordinates that led to a town where some girls had gone missing recently. Before you ask, no, it wasn't John Winchester sending the messages -- although how cool would THAT have been? Sam was unable to ID the source, and Dean became suspicious of the origin of the information, even urging Sam to forget about it. But Sam (using his younger brother powers) convinced him that it was worth checking out, and Dean agreeed, with the coda that if things happened to get "squirrely" (new Dean-ism?) they'd bow out.
