Fashion Brands Behaviour

“NOT FAKE” a clear message from GUCCI

**“Counterfeiting Coping”** Photo Shout: www.gucci.com

GUCCI calling out “Copying”

Could this be a new way of saying how we feel from a brand’s perspective? Unquestionably the suffocating experiences that brand’s go through in-order to protect their logo, fabric, colour, style, launch and of course their hard earned reputation is by “Authenticity”. Which to many designers and their teams {spoken on their behalf} copying is received as an ultimate betrayal to the hard work put in to create pieces that deserve respect and should never be copied. Treason comes to mind as the feelings of creators and artists are rarely openly expressed verbally, predominantly written in lawsuits ~> papers served as a written warning of “we are coming for you” and “you shall not get away with this ~ see you in court”. Taking what is not yours {so to speak} it is probably the highest level of insulting the creatives, and believe you me copying a brands design is VIP serious, and could easily be compared to committing a crime. That is not me being extra either….

Throwing Shade on Counterfeiting

Do they deserve it? Counterfeit crooks and that is being polite, let’s suppose they are honest {contradictory} good people trying to make a living. Which I have no doubt of the latter but integrity is a miss when the pain has already been inflicted. None the less many would argue that the counterfeit market is a lifeline when a sizeable percentage {no stats yet} of consumers cannot afford to purchase luxury items because they are not in a financial position to do so, and as often as they would like too.

**NOT forgetting the truth about why people buy counterfeits?**

What is the real truth behind counterfeit consumers !!

NOT-Everybody can afford to buy luxury even more so now consumers are seeking a bank account healthy alternative. Those who are still living in the overdraft facility cannot stretch to buying the real deal so they seek a “lookalike” that they know they can easily pull-off and trick let’s say fool the peering eyes of the Fashion detectives {like MI5,CIA agents} on the prowl on instagram pages {giggling in guilt as I do this}. Surely adding a copy to one’s authentic collection of bags, shoes, slides, and sneakers is not really that much of a big sin?

**“NOT FAKE** is such a powerful statement”

TAKE NOTE: Don’t feel bad if you are purchasing counterfeits.. Just be mindful and aware that you are supporting possibly an individual, group or organisation who are up to know good {committing a crime}, profiteering off a brand’s creative designs. Must add that {lawyer~ open to opportunities ~touch of PR } the legal teams who represent fashion brands globally are hot-on-the-trail of those contributing to the billion dollar counterfeit market.

“Leave a comment.. Ask a question.. Hire me.. thanking you all for reading” ~~Tay~~

Fred Perry has pulled a polo shirt because a neo-fascist group are wearing them! What a “back hand” from the brand

We are all familiar with the iconic Fred Perry Polo Shirt, and I for one have owned many in a variety of colors from back in the day too. The Polo was launched back in the 50s and made a guest appearance at Wimbledon in 1952 and was immediately a huge hit both on and off court.

Fred himself was three times Wimbledon champion and won many other competitions, which of course helped thrust the polo-shirt even more into the spotlight. Plus he lived a glamorous celebrity lifestyle and once dated the film icon Marlene Dietrich. So his status was perfect for the brand and the rest is history, but let us not forget that “fashion on Tennis courts” back then was know way near the levels it is at today.

Fashion Brands and “Unwanted attention”

The Polo Shirt has been donned by many different genres, in the past even up to present day, with the music industry really holding the trophy. Both music lovers and artists from the Mod, Ska and even the Indie eras loved the Fred Perry polo-shirt and it became a symbol of many subcultures. NOW the attention has reached a level that has “flipped-the-script” and possibly caused a game-set-and match {excuse the pun} even a new precedent which could go either way really. Fred Perry have shut down the sale of one {black color with yellow laurel wreath} Polo-Shirt because it is associated with a neo-fascist group — the Proud Boys in North America https://www.fredperry.com/us/fred-perry-black-yellow-yellow?utm_medium=organic_social&utm_source=tw&utm_campaign=bs__tw_proud-boys-statement&utm_content=brand who are no way representing the core values or image related with the brand, and the statement echoes this.

Historically fashion brands have had “unwanted attention” from the days of the skinheads in the 70s, and as far as going overseas Europe far-right groups in Germany donned Lonsdale a British brand. A surge came from the football hooligans, who have worn many a brands logos: just to name a few the likes of Burberry scarves, caps and jackets, the Stone Island jumpers and Ralph Lauren too proved extremely popular. Let’s not forget that Tommy Hilfiger in the 90s had the strongest game in the must-have-fashion garment trends, and was frequently worn by street gangs in the USA. Not quite sure if that impacted the brand to almost flatline and lose position and ranking with its rivals! But they are back recently with top celebrity collaborations just to name drop a few Lewis Hamilton uk.tommy.com/tommy-x-lewis and super model Gigi Hadid uk.tommy.com/tommy-x-gigi

Even though it can be argued that fashion brands do not care about unwanted attention, and being appropriated leaves no where to run or catwalk, and basically says you can’t do anything about it other than hope people quickly and quietly forget about it. I have to laugh because social media has given the platform and voices for many to express how they feel about racism globally, therefore brands who say and do nothing are self inflicting damage upon themselves which could be irreparable in the future.

Much appreciation go follow and feel free to share your opinions with me.

“Thank you so much”

~~ Tay ~~

Versace SS21 ready~to~wear collection NOW features “Plus Size” for women

What year are we in ?! Is this a new era?!

Answering for everyone right now as this should not be a shock, or a revelation, but “how much longer will take” for all luxury fashion brands to get a grip with reality and notice the obvious that “humans come in all sizes” and have done from creation.

GAP ~ in the market?

From a business prospective and translating further the “gap” has always been here but the luxury fashion world’s image dictates a version which they can only see. Extraordinary to say the least that all the strategy advisors have either gone bald or grey with frustration in conveying this too the leading designer brands.

Luxury Designer Brands ~~> WAKE UP

From memory the argument has seen mid-range/household names and the fast~fashion brands increase prices for “plus sizes” based upon the cost incurred to make larger sizes. Is this an inclusion with luxury fashion brands too? Yet to be detected but I am all over it and I shall keep you updated once I have the information to hand.

In the meantime an extra few metres of fabric should one possibly have to pay more? How does that play out with footwear? Surely brands need to identify that “Size does not matter” and in the luxury lifestyle of the masses maybe that extra few hundred £€$, even thousand won’t actually make an impact on the plastic {credit card}. I am taking a wild guess here, surely many consumers will find it unattractive and unattainable to have too pay more for clothing in “plus sizes”? I could be wrong but something tells me that this is a fresh battle for the luxury fashion brands ~ get ready!

Let’s speak about this ~~> welcoming all comments and I shall keep you updated on FASHION via my blog which highlights the behaviours in the areas of “Law~Environment~Garment Workers” with additional flashes of fashion news and what’s going on..

“Much appreciation for the wondering eyes and inquisitive minds of all who land on my page Thank You ~ Tay”

Slavery investigation @ Boohoo/Nasty Gal factory in Leicester UK

Investigation after undercover reporter films garment workers illegally working

So let us take a seat at the Tay{ble} and talk about this —- because the #BrandsBehavingBadly don’t want too: ~~“They pay us peanuts & exploit us yet millions is profited”~~ THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS and voices are not being heard — 21st century sweatshops are a global issue.

LET THIS SINK IN

A factory {Jaswal Fashion} in Leicester who makes clothes for the fast fashion brand Boohoo, who also owns Nasty Gal — this man the owner Mr Mahmud Kamani makes millions on bonuses. Yet this factory is paying its staff £3.50 per hour – in the U.K. the minimum wage for over 25’s is £8.72. The horror is discovered by an undercover reporter who just happened to film the experience for an investigation headed up by the Sunday Times. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boohoos-sweatshop-suppliers-they-only-exploit-us-they-make-huge-profits-and-pay-us-peanuts-lwj7d8fg2

EXPOSED WORKING CONDITIONS

The video footage shows the working conditions and expectations of the “sweat shop” including how being a garment worker and the treatment subjected to by the sub-contractor is totally illegal an unacceptable.

EXPLOITING at it’s finest during lockdown with zero hygiene facilities and no social distancing being implemented. Instead: overworked, underpaid, and in conditions that are unsafe and unhygienic.. They are allowed too hire and exploit people for profit and deliver the clients products-garments in timing that has no care for the people behind the production of the fast fashion garment world.

SLAVERY or cheap labor = Slavery

Questioning how the hell is this happening in the western world right under our noses? Let’s not forget that this is an ongoing issue that is rife in the developing countries of the world, and has always existed in western countries the difference being they are “hidden” under the fabric and mask of no visible poverty or some who call it third world – therefore it doesn’t exist. So far from the truth makes this even more awkward too write.

WAKEUP WORLD

How much longer are fashion brands going to get away with detaching themselves from the reality of the manufacturing of their garments? It’s been too long now and something needs to be done — holding brands accountable for misbehaving? But they subcontract their work? Why have nothing to do with the most important part of the “chain” yet reaping the profits they have no shame in flaunting how fabulous the brand is and it’s growth is off the chain!! I wonder how they would feel if countries and governments made laws that gave garment workers the rights they so greatly deserve?!

LOCKDOWN; SAFETY; EMPATHY; DUTY OF CARE was blatantly ignored.

Photo Shouts: Sunday Times www.times.co.uk

I am not done with talking about this – do you care about the people who make your clothes?Well I DO ~~> Tay

is FAST FASHION really a dirty business?

**What damage does “CHEAP” Jeans, Dresses, and T-shirts do to our earth’s atmosphere?**

Some will argue that the Fast Fashion Industry gives affordable garments that are trendy and kind too our bank balances as well as overdrafts but the flip side reveals an unpleasant ever lasting problem to our planet.

Each year the fast fashion brands behave badly and are completely detached, if not oblivious from the destruction and damage they are causing to the earth. There is 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon unapologetically spilled into the atmosphere from this industry every year. This equals more than the thousands of flights and shipping conducted across the global {frightening ~>outrageous} annually, according to the International Energy Agency.

Let’s “breakdown” the dirt in the business

• Cotton garments: dresses, shirts and sweats online or even from an infamous high street chain at a great price for instance £29.99, is truly a mortal threat for the cotton uses fertilisers that trickle into groundwater resulting in the creation of dead zones in lakes and the rivers, harming marine life making it impossible of survival.

• Polyester garments: dresses, tops, and those “lucifer~leggings” at £4.99 sometimes cheaper, are truly leading in the blame game of unnecessary abuse to the earth. Polyester the fabric that is non-renewable and produces 98 million tonnes of resources with zero capacity to be reused {scary but so true}.

• Production: takes the trophy and dyes are even more dangerous when “cotton farming” sucks out 93 billion cubic metres of water every year. Let’s visual this now: 37 million swimming pools Olympic size is what I am saying mathematically covers the amount of water being used too produce the fast fashion industry’s parches for cheap garments.

My throat is dry now after typing this —> seriously are we that thirsty for cheap clothes?

Is there a solution 📣

Progress reporting:

Some are making efforts…. so let’s not take that away from the high street chains who are implementing and introducing systems and processes to create the chain~of~change. After all resolving this major ongoing battle in an established billion dollar industry will not evolve over night. There are levels of players in the fashion industry: Luxury brands shall not be excluded or blindsided because they have more disposable income and weight than fast fashion brands. For instance Stella McCartney, take a bow {applause} she holds the top award for me right now, and we have witnessed the likes of Balmain, and Louis Vuitton throwing shapes in their awareness {salute}.

Waste is at the top of this pyramid and high street chains like the H&M, Zara, and even Primark, have this problem which needs addressing not another dress added. And let’s not forget the absolute leaders of the pack being the social media Instagram gladiators of fast fashion the likes of Pretty Little Thing, FashionNova and so many more that keep lighting up our Instagram feeds.

Pleased to bare a flashpoint of good news: There has been movement at H&M and Zara who are offering customers buy~backs and recycling programmes on used garments {starting clapping then realised that it is out of context} which slices a fraction off the annual disposed amounts.

GARMENT WORKERS can still have better paid jobs & work in better conditions if “Brands stop Behaving Badly” and take responsibility by removing middlemen or be accountable for the errors make the change from every corner of the Fashion Industry

Photo Shouts: Getty Images & Reuters

Mentions: https://www.stellamccartney.com/gb https://www. https://uk.louisvuitton.com/eng-gb https://www.balmain.com/gb www.zara.com www.fashionnova.com www.m2.hm.com www.plt.com

Victoria Beckham in a trademark battle with an Aussie brand ~> VB SkinLab

Skin Lab by VB in Australia
“Face Lift in a bottle”

The battle between Victoria Beckham and VB Skin Lab has begun over “trademark” and if you are all wondering why? Then let’s get deep into the dermis on this one..

VB SkinLab ~ Background

VB Skin Lab are an Aussie brand with plans to storm the beauty industry and market beauty salon services, skincare products and cosmetics. They preach that they—VB Skinlab boasts more than 30 years of delivering skincare solutions in both Australia and Asia, and they are super proud that they own it all, including how it is operated {rare}. Looks like they are planning to expand all over the hemisphere and “lift faces” along the way with their cosmetic products. Growth is on their radar, and the beauty playground is always open for newbies, it’s the audience that needs convincing and they seem to have an entourage already down~under.

Victoria Beckham Beauty ~ Background

Some would argue that Victoria’s beauty business is a backdrop too her fashion brand, which has struggled to be successful as the many who rule on the map of “luxury brands”. However, she has collaborated with the likes of Estèe Lauder and launched beauty items but never really a line of too~die~for skincare or makeup products. Clearly her team have suggested she step~up her game and get involved {like everyone else} in the billion dollar industry that has held a top position in fashion. Beauty and fashion go hand~in~hand after all, so it should be the next logical step too endure?! You and I both know that nailing this industry does not happen overnight and the priority would be to create a product that actually works as your name does not really sell a product successfully if the product under~performs.

“the Battle”

VB SkinLab are pushing their brand out and Victoria is p***ed that her initials are being used when she has already launched her own skincare serum and products. Furthermore, she claims confusion with her initials which are used to market luxury womenswear, as well as the cosmetics line with Estée Lauder. Adding further insult Victoria slammed the skincare brand as acting in bad faith towards her own brand.

⚖️ VERDICT⚖️

In March 2020, Australian IP who actually governs over the Intellectual Property rights, refused to accept Victoria preventing her new rival from using her initials {actually we all own the alphabet ~ don’t we?}. IP Australia, said that it was “not satisfied that any confusion” would arise between the logos and trademarks. And the Aussie government agency rejected Victoria’s legal team’s last shot at the skincare brand suggesting that VB SkinLab is acting in bad faith.

So there we have it, and any further updates on what both brands named VB will be doing next I shall drop and endeavour to keep all our skins updated. Has anyone tried any beauty products from either brand? Please share I would love to know your thoughts ~ I have not and no plans to.

Photo Shouts: http://www.vbskinlab.com.au https://www.victoriabeckhambeauty.com/skin-care Mentions: https://m.esteelauder.com/

PETA applying strategy & buying STOCK & SHARES in major Fashion Brands ~ WHY? “to push for a ban on WOOL”.

Just to name a few of the purchases PETA have made recently: •RALPH LAUREN •BURBERRY •GUESS •URBAN OUTFITTERS

By the way this is not the first time PETA have flexed their way into the boardrooms of Fashion Houses: for instance back in 2017 at LVMH to stop using exotic skins https://fashionista.com/2017/01/peta-lvmh and at PRADA and their handbags made of Ostrich skins https://fashionista.com/2016/04/peta-prada . I must mention that a major break through in the automotive industry was also powered by PETA www.peta.org/…/vegan-car-interior-options . Leather car seats {Mercedes, VW and Tesla are all now making vegan car seats} are also a fashion craze that unbeknown to many consumers, and car owners is the stress cows endure so that our booties in our whips {slang for cars} are also seated in style at the cost and pain of an animal.

Strategy or common sense? Taking an opportunity when the economy is at its worse is not a bad move right? I’d say it’s an extremely clever one because it could change the game, in an industry that has proven to be the hardest to crack and convince those running the show that animals do not need to be used as materials for fashion items. It has already been proven that garments, footwear, accessories, makeup and beauty items, can be produced without the use of fur, wool, skin, and fat from animals.

PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said: “Today’s kind consumers want to support companies that share their values and sell chic and comfortable vegan sweaters and coats only,” she also put out a statement saying: “PETA is heading to the boardroom to pressure retailers from Ralph Lauren to Urban Outfitters not to sell items that animals suffered and died for.”

The master minds behind PETA the animal rights organisation have taken full advantage of the deflated stock market, and why not it is a buyers paradise after all. Surely this could be a huge step in the right direction that can encourage and steer decision making in fashion companies to a path of creating collections that bare no harm or use of animals in clothing.

What a move and who we might ask is next? So many high street brands are struggling to survive during this pandemic, for instance: Top Shop, Oasis, Warehouse and probably more will succumb to the spiralling decline in retail because consumers are isolating and the change in how we shop has taken a turn for the worse for the brands. But is this a good thing?

We are now shopping for the necessities like food and household items because we are not socialising. Is this a new era for the way in which fashion brands behave? Will consumers take the reigns and change their perceptions in buying especially because we have more time on our hands now so will this shift our thoughts to delving in deeper to quality more than quantity?

Is this the end of Fast Fashion? Will we be looking at an environmentally friendly future in the Fashion Industry that causes no harm to animals? It’s been along time in the making and just maybe this is it!! Thank you PETA https://www.peta.org and Fashion Brand leaders like Stella McCartney https://www.stellamccartney.com who have pathed the way and always had this on lockdown.