Wednesday, July 8, 2009

BRAG Remembers Michael Jackson: A Fashion Icon







As we lay to rest the undisputed King of Pop we can’t help but pay homage to his influence on fashion. Michael Jackson effortlessly created trends that would deem him a fashion icon. These looks would be globally replicated everywhere from the runways in Paris to concrete catwalks in remote American cities. High fashion designers like Roberto Cavalli and retail chains like Banana Republic have all created collections influenced by the entertainer. We were all mesmerized when he struck a pose on the tips of his penny loafers back in the day.
MJ’s choice of fashion was as smooth as his melodic voice. His elaborate military influenced costumes made it apparent that he was a true lover of detail. Michael’s signature white shirt, black pants, and one sequenced glove added a twist to the classic look.
Over three decades later we can find artists like Kanye West, Chris Brown and Beyonce all wearing styles influenced by the King.
Whether you were walking down the streets of Harlem, riding a trolley in London, or sitting in a cafe in Paris you were captivated when you saw him moonwalk across the stage during Mowtown 25. From music to fashion Michael Jackson bridged the gap between generations, races, and cultures. There will never be another entertainer that phenomenally influenced a culture the way MJ did. What do you think?

Monday, June 8, 2009

Gary Lampley, President of BRAG, was published recently in the highly respected Magazine Americana.

An article written by Gary Lampley, President of BRAG, was published recently in the highly respected Magazine Americana (The Journal of American Popular Culture). See link below.
http://www.americanpopularculture.com/style.htm

Americana: The Institute for the Study of American Popular Culture, is an academic, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the publication of exceptional American creative writing and American Studies scholarship since the year 1900. They are especially interested in publishing material that examines such issues as social justice, human rights, environmental awareness, the human condition, diversity, love, compassion, ethical and moral obligations. In other words, they are passionate about projects that empower and uplift humanity.

Please join BRAG in congratulating Gary on this wonderful piece. Once you've had an opportunity to read the article be sure to post your comments here on the blog. We'd love to know your thoughts.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

On The Move...


Pierre-Alexis Dumas has been named creative director of Hermès.

Michelle Melton has been promoted to senior public relations manager for North America at Sonia Rykiel.

Lesley Langsam Kennedy, formerly PR director of Saks Fifth Avenue, has been named vice president of Behrman Communications.

Randy Kriech has been appointed vice president of sales and marketing at Priori Skincare, and U.S. distribution for the brand will now be handled directly by PRIORI Skincare USA, LLC with headquarters in Richmond, VA.

Beth Thomas Cohen and Beth Overzat announce the launch of B'squared Public Relations, specializing in public relations for accessory designers.

Sue Hostetler, currently the host of Plum Homes with Sue Hostetler on the lifestyle network Plum TV, has been named shelter and design editor for Niche Media.

Crystal Carlton Flynn has been named director of publicity and special events for Hearts On Fire.

Robert Skinner Jr. has re­signed as chief executive officer of Devanlay U.S. Inc., the licensee for Lacoste branded apparel in the U.S. Skinner will be replaced by his predecessor in the position, Robert Siegel, who retired as chairman and ceo at the end of 2008 after seven years with the company.

ALSO...
The Wall Street Journal has closed its fashion bureau; 8 staff members including Teri Agins and Cheryl Tan have been let go, effective at the end of March.

BPCM announces its representation of Katherine Fleming.
Blue Stripe PR is pleased to announce our representation of Eight Centuries, a new jewelry collection launching for Fall 2009, and Mimi & Coco.
The fashion department of BWR has recently been retained to launch Charley 5.0 and Rebecca Minkoff Apparel.

Caro Marketing, Dietch PR and Michele Marie PR will all be handling Public Relations and Marketing for Kangol's new apparel launch in the US.

Kravetz & Company Public Relations announces its representation of Lisa Freede Jewelry.

Kwittken & Company announces its representation of The Ana Tzarev Gallery.

Moderne Press announces its representation of Emily Elizabeth Jewelry.

People's Revolution announces its representation of Zadig & Voltaire.

Polly Ryerson PR announces its representation of Cooper Martin, a new medical recovery clothing line, and Cocoon Innovations, a line of tech bags for computers, ipods, Blackberries and other tech gadgets.

Siren PR is pleased to announce its representation of Mrs. Meyer's.

ShopPR announces its representation of Ouidad.

Tractenberg & Co. is pleased to announce its representation of Nieves Lavi.

Williamson PR announces its representation of Paige Novick.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

J-Crew Site Crashed During Inauguration Crush

When news spread on Inauguration Day that the Obama Girls, Sasha and Malia were wearing Crew-cuts, the children's line from J-Crew, I decided to go on to the J-Crew site to take a look at the pieces. Well, millions of other people must have had the same idea because the site was down when I went on. Now I've been a J-Crew shopper for years and the site is never down. I e-mailed a friend that works at J-Crew and she was surprised it was down, but my geek squad confirmed that the site had crashed due to the amount of traffic.

That Mickey Drexler is always one step ahead!!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Layoffs at Lord & Taylor, Saks & Neimans

Layoffs across the retail industry are accelerating. In just the latest round, Lord & Taylor let go of 170 people on Friday. But more cuts could come soon at L&T as a result of a broad consolidation strategy being formulated by the company's parent, NRDC Equity Partners, involving combining back office functions to save costs and gain efficiencies. NRDC also owns Fortunoff and Creative Design Studios, and in Canada, The Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and Fields.

At Lord & Taylor, sources said the job cuts were across the board through the chain and were in addition to the store’s 120 layoffs that occurred last October. Combined, the 290 positions represent about 3.5 percent of the chain’s total workforce of 9,000.


In the midst of the deepening recession, job cuts have become standard procedure at many retail companies. Earlier this week, Neiman Marcus announced 375 job cuts, representing about 3 percent of its workforce.

Even more dramatic was the announcement Thursday at Saks Fifth Avenue that 1,100 jobs at stores and headquarters, or 9 percent of its workforce, is being eliminated. Some of Saks’ more visible figures are departing in the wave of layoffs, including Michael Fink, vice president and women’s fashion director, who’s been a regular at the designer shows, a frequent participant in industry forums and widely quoted in the fashion media.

Also leaving Saks is Leslie Langsam Kennedy, the director of public relations; Gina Giordano, senior vice president and regional director of Saks stores in the Northeast, and Jan Richter, the creative director, who also held the title of senior vice president.

A Saks spokeswoman confirmed the departures and said their duties are being reassigned.

Many Saks sales associates are being let go because the stores are considered overstaffed in light of the dwindling shopping traffic and declining number of transactions in the last several months.


Saks is also cutting inventories and capital expenditures and eliminating merit-based wage increases and 401 [k] matching contributions this year. The company expects to save $50 to $60 million as a result of all the cutbacks.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

2009 Buzz Word: Post Racial

I know we are only 13 days into the new year, but could the word of the year be "post racial", (i know it's two words, but you get my meaning). I was at a comedy club on Saturday Night and the comedian on stage, a black comic, used the term at least 3-4 times in a snippet of his act.
As I was watching the Golden Globes on Sunday I also noticed Tracy Morgan used the term as well. Although Tracy used the term in jest, it got me to thinking. Is a Post-Racial America a better America? Is it a realistic goal for the country?
Tell me what you think


Saturday, January 10, 2009

On The Move...

Paul Deneve, CEO of Lanvin, has left the company.

Nicole Beland, previously features director of Women's Health magazine, has been named executive editor of Cosmo.

Chris McLoughlin, previously publisher of Golf for Women, has been named associate publisher of REDBOOK.

Charlotte Adjchavanich has been named vice president, global public relations, for Jurlique.

Casey Sangmeister has been named manager of U.S. public relations for Jurlique. The company will no longer retain the services of its agency of record, LaForce + Stevens.

Sérgio Pedreiro, previously CFO of América Latina Logistica, has been named CFO of Coty, Inc., following former CFO Michael Fishoff's departure at the end of last month.

Diego Marchioni is the new CEO of KidRobot.

Marissa Rubenstein is now an account executive at Style House PR; she was formerly with Dana Galin Jewelry.

Chelsea O'Donnell has left her position as a senior account supervisor with 5W Public Relations, due to a move to Sydney.

Lauren Branche is now the in-house media & consumer relations manager at Carol's Daughter.

Vanessa Poskanzer has resigned as president of KSVP Media & Events, Inc.

Also...

MML PR announces its representation of NYX Cosmetics,Tela Beauty Organics, Greek yogurt Chobani, makeup artist Christy Coleman and nutritionist Ashley Koff.

Blue Sky Communications announces its represention of ANSR, an at-home phototherapy device for treating acne, created by Oregon Aesthetic Technologies.

Janice McCafferty Communications-Houston announces its representation of LiLash.

Alison Brod Public Relations announces its representation of Liz Lange Maternity and Hanky Panky.

Bismarck Phillips Communications and Media announces its representation of Tadashi Shoji.

Bismarck Phillips Communications and Media, Los Angeles, announces its representation of Hugo Boss and Escada.

Black Frame announces it will be working closely with Nike Sportswear on communications in the United States.

BrandStyle Communications announces its representation of Hunter boots.

Denise Williamson Showroom announces its representation of Raf by Raf Simons.

Laura Henson Consulting announces its representation of Bibhu Mohapatra (former design director of J. Mendel), KIR Jewelry, Robert Comstock Menswear and Armand de Brignac.

Shadow PR announces its representation of Treesje handbags.

Starworks announces its representation of Jasmine di Milo for both PR and celebrity services in the New York and Los Angeles offices.

TLCommunications announces its representation of Yes To Carrots.

Wetherly Fashion Group announces its representation of signed Randi Rahm Couture.

Linda Gaunt Communications is no longer the agency of record for Christian Cota.