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FASHION / TECHNOLOGY - Jon Marquis's new purse design for 2009 gives fresh meaning to the term "as seen on TV." In a town obsessed with who carries what, be it the current love affair with Mulberry's "Bayswater," Anya Hindmarsh's green shopper sensation of the "I'm Not a Plastic Bag " canvas tote, or the holy grail of coveted accessories, the Hermès Birkin, Marquis has found what might be the ultimate "It bag" niche. It has a built-in DVD player, complete with a 7-inch flat screen on the side. And it's not nearly as tacky as it sounds. In fact, the high-end leather totes are downright chi-chi. Marquis says his plan was to take advantage of the increasing supply of gadgetry that women carry in their purses, including iPods and cellphones that can record or carry video, but only offer mini screens for any actual viewing. "It is our belief that people don't really use these to watch films as the screens are too small,...

FASHION

FASHION - Being frugal is the new in look and being a shopaholic is out. So much for "Confessions of a Shopaholic" ... that concept is outdated and so much like yesterday's flip flops. The book "Confessions of a Shopaholic" did well and sold millions but the movie is too late... we're on a new fashion trend now and its all about being frugal during the current American recession . So what can you do? Well for starters its time to go to your closet and organize. Make a party of it and maybe invite some friends over for Kool-Aid (cherry with extra sugar and vodka) and get righteously high on sugar and alcohol while you did through your old clothes... Find out whats in there first. Decide what you can still wear, what is fashionable, what you never wore but still want to and if they're not but your friends want'em and can fit into them... you know the deal. "Shop till you drop" has been replaced by "shop your closet" and finding ne...

FASHION - Shoulder pads are back. Its getting a revival in Spring 2009 and is largely result of the current American recession. Balmain, Louis Vuitton and Proenza Schouler: They all have retro-80s shoulder padding. When the going gets tough, the masses seek clothes that pump up their volume, providing them with the illusion of strength and substance. Besides, shoulders were already swelling or extending outward early last year at labels like Martin Margiela and Balenciaga so this is just following a growing trend. Blame it on the current '80s vibe in the fashion industry. After the return of leggings, drop-crotch pants, jumpsuits and DayGlo colours its too late now. The eighties are now back in fashion. If you hated the counterculture '80s you are probably dreading this shift. If not, then you're likely rummaging in your closet for your old clothes that are suddenly back in style. Its not just the fashion industry either. New music and TV shows are mirroring ideas from th...

FASHION - Supermodel Naomi Campbell has ended her legal tussle with a former maid Gaby Gibson who accused the supermodel of hitting her and calling her names. Gaby Gibson worked for Campbell from November 2005 through January 2006. Terms of the settlement are confidential, but a lawyer for the 38-year-old Naomi Campbell says both sides are pleased with the outcome. Gibson claimed in her lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, that the British fashion model and catwalk star also threatened her after being unable to find a pair of designer jeans. Naomi Campbell then attacked the maid and threw her cellphone at her. Campbell has a notoriously bad reputation for losing her temper and attacking them with small hard objects. In 2005 Naomi Campbell attacked a personal assistant with a Blackberry , a charge to which she pleaded guilty and settled out of court.

FASHION - You don't want a lump of coal for Christmas, but a little black lace dress and the accessories to match might be on your list this year. Its sort of an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas idea, but don't forget black lace suffers from a Madonna/whore complex in fashion. When done in white and in a voluminous form for wedding dresses , lace is considered innocent and pure. In black and in the boudoir – lace is sexy, racy and risque. With the colour of flesh underneath there is also underlying simmering sexuality. Miuccia Prada , in her fall/winter collection, managed to marry the two personalities of this fabric with guipure lace dresses. She took black lace and made it look austere and prim and by adding dickies at the neckline – they practically look like something a nun or Mennonite might wear, a naughty one. Prada believes in lace so much that she reportedly bought the entire stock produced from a Swiss factory. Small surprise, whatever the highly influential Prada...

I haven't posted anything for ages, but I haven't forgotten you guys. So I'm wishing you, and those around you, a fantastic Christmas and an awesome year to follow. Hopefully 2009 will bring a new "Advertising etc" ;) All the best guys. André