Twice the Fashion

The Olsens are back!

OK, well apparently they never really left. They currently have two very successful luxury lines apparel lines. These just happened much more quietly than their apparel deal with Wal-Mart that ended three years ago.

Now, they are partnering with J.C. Penney for a new teen line called Olsenboye- named for their family in Norway. Sad to admit, but I can't help loving that Mary Kate and Ashley are Norges like me!

Anyways, the official launch of the line isn't until February, but until then some of it will be offered at J.C. Penney in an effort to appeal to an edgier, urban crowd.

On Monday, The Olsen twins rode around New York City in cute little pink mobile shops handing out Olsenboye memorabilia.

Hopefully for J.C. Penney, this guerilla marketing will help them reach that edgy New York market.

We'll see!

For more information about the launch, visit http://www.abcnews.go.com/Business/olsen-twins-bring-fashion-sense-jc-penney/story?id=8914160.

Fashion Police

Bloggers were a little offended this week by a new rule set by the Federal Trade Commission to regulate bloggers... fashion and beauty bloggers in particular.

Starting December 1, bloggers, Tweeters, and any other form of online product review must now disclose whether or not the products they're reviewing were given to them for free.

Some feel that this new regulation is a compliment to the blogging community... albeit a backhanded one. While they'd rather not be policed, some regulation does imply they're being taken more seriously as real journalists.

However, the majority of the bloggers affected by this new rule are quite upset... and offended.

The most insulting aspect of the rule is that it doesn't apply to print publications or even their online counterparts. It singles out bloggers like they're somehow less trustworthy and credible than print journalists who incidentally, receive way more "gifts" than the bloggers this rule is targeted towards.

To me, the FTC is just concerned about blogging because it's new and scary to them. Readers of fashion and beauty blogs are not stupid... WE KNOW most of these products are gifted. The FTC should give us a little more credit.

But if it makes them feel better, then fine. I don't see this rule making any sort of noticeable impact on product review bloggers.

However, it would've been nice if their PR department had found a way to announce this rule with a little more tact... Bloggers have feelings too.

For more info on the story, read New F.T.C. rule Has Bloggers and Twitterers Mulling by Kayleen Schaefer

Fashion Without Feeling

This year, fashion has been accused of being emotionless with its emphasis on more practical, wearable pieces.

"You want emotions? Just ask department store chiefs how they felt earlier this year after discounting their pricey inventories," says Cathy Horyn of The New York Times.

Fashion doesn't have the same luxury of limitless extravagance that it once did. The world has changed, and fashion has followed suit.



Some are arguing that fashion is an art of emotion, passion and creativity, and that this economic pressure is only stifling designer's creativity... But you can create innovative fashion in forms other than red carpet gowns.

This is a creative opportunity, not a hindrance. It's going to take much more imagination to make separates spectacular, and I'm eager to see what these designers come up with.

Not to say that they didn't put out nice lines this season, but their first attempt at more sensible fashion was not anything new. Much of it looked like you might find it at the Gap, not exactly haute couture.

It's a daunting task for these designers. It will take time, but I believe we will be seeing some work very soon that is both practical and inspired.Do not take this to mean that we must give up on fashion until then.

There is still plenty of good stuff out there. And with the negative moods associated with the coming holiday season, I feel it's appropriate to leave you with a quote from my mother:

"If you can't be nice, be pretty."

Check out Cathy Horyn's article on the subject, Sportswear Carries Urgency of the Moment on Fashion Week Runways.