The name Brian Lichtenberg might not ring any bells for you, but you’d probably recognize at least one of his designs. Lichtenberg was the genius behind Lady Gaga‘s caution tape ensemble in the “Telephone” video — yes, I too thought Gaga had simply wrapped herself in caution tape, but apparently not. And now he’s bringing his distinctly L.A. look to the masses through Forever 21, which is trying to shed its image as a designer copycat. Forever 21 is taking its first step as a designer resource with a designer who some may feel is a little too difficult to wear unless you’re Gaga, Kim Kardsashian, or Lindsay Lohan — people who feed off attention and publicity. But Lichtenberg says the youthful and more mainstream collection retains his aesthetic yet also caters to the more feminine Forever 21 shopper. As expected, he sticks to basics like T-shirts and tank tops for the women and men’s collection that launches Aug. 13. One tank is crisscrossed with “Lichtenberg caution tape,” another look shows nail polish bottles spelling out “Lichtenberg,” and another has lipstick shaped in the letters BL, Lichtenberg’s initials. Someone surely loves his name, but will Forever 21 devotees feel the same way? [WWD]
