Mr. Wu Goes to Washington

So, Michelle Obama has definitely made a fashion statement by picking lesser-known designers over the big names (poor Oscar de la Renta). But now, her fashion posse is launching a campaign of their own to see to it that Congress passes a bill that provides copyright protection on their designs.

This isn't about street vendor fakes, it's about H&M, Forever 21, and other discount lines that the designers claim are ripping off their creative work--and bank accounts--by copying their looks. Maria Cornejo, Thakoon Panichgul, Narciso Rodriguez, and Jason Wu went to Washington this week to lobby for a bill that would provide copyright protection on clothing designs. Accompanied by the CFDA's Stephen Kolb, they made the rounds with legislators trying to convince them that they need a congressional safety net.

If this anti-piracy bill does pass, I hope that these lines will hire the designers they rip off to design in house. It will probably make for better clothes and still be right on budget.

Tippety-Top Obama Shop

Alright so...I'm performing my tri-daily (is that a word?) ritual of searching for blog topics. I mean I could just say that I invent fashion news but I'm a truth-sayer so I won't. I'm here to tell you all about what you need to know in what's going on in the world of style. And apparently as of 6:58pm on Thursday, April 9th 2009 the only thing worth talking and/or knowing about is...TOP SHOP! OMG if I see another fashion story chronicling Top Shop and it's new opening in SoHo, I'm going to quit writing. No, I wont. That's a lie. But see, there's that story that's flooding mass media along with Michelle Obama's wardrobe whilst visiting the shriveled Queen. Ok, so Top Shop first, then Michelley Belly.

So Top Shop. I get it. I worked for H&M once upon a time...and was obsessed (and still am pretty much) so I get it. HUGE. Amazing. However, Top Shop is just another H&M, another Zara, another...what's another high fashion discount couturier? I don't know but think of it and that's what it's JUST LIKE!

The fashion is typical: trendy. Nothing spectacular. Funky printed shift dresses, bold primary colored strappy heels, cut-off denim shorts, and a wait-in-line from Broadway to Ave. of Americas (and back around to Houston). Oh and Kate Moss' fashion line is being sold exclusively here. I'm picturing Kate's clothing to be basically mirrors and razor blades, and white. All white. And nothing above a size 0. In fact, size 0 is the biggest size available. Aside from the mass amounts of parties blazing for the first ever Top Shop being opened in America (with special appearances by everyone from Jay Z to Michelle Trachtenberg) there is nothing to talk about that can't be said for H&M. So let's talk about Michelle Obama.

Um, why? All I've been hearing about is Michelles AMAZING wardrobe while she and Barrack (our President by the way) paid homage to Great Britain and did a shoe-shuffle-tap-dance for the starkly white Queen Elizabeth. Needless to say, I was deeply disappointed. I mean, her most 'amazing must-see' outfit was a cardigan. Seriously, google 'fashion news' (and read Daphne's recent post) and you will find nothing but Top Shop and Michelle Obama. I expected more from us, world.

I just have nothing to say except this week in fashion is a dead end. Snuggle up with CHAOS and go back to bed because you're not missing anything out there. Peace.