Walk into any Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie and you’re bound see racks and racks of clothes referencing Navajo patterns and designs. A quick perusal of Urban’s website finds that there are almost two dozen products referencing the Native American tribe, by name at least, in its product descriptions. These days the all-encompassing term to describe Native American-inflected design is everywhere. And it might just be illegal. Keep reading »
Urban Outfitters usually flocks to controversy, but in the case of a photo featured on one of Urban’s Ts, the company is probably less than thrilled with the attention. Sometime last year. photographer Jason Lee Parry took a shot of a 15-year-old girl — allegedly model Hailey Clauson (pictured) — “revealing portions of her breasts … in a spread eagle position making her crotch area the focal point of the image.” And while Parry claims the photo was never meant to be released, and was actually stolen from the studio in which it was shot, the model’s parents aren’t buying it. They’re suing Parry, Urban, and several other retailers where the clothing featuring the image was sold for more than $28 million total. But! On the flip side, the series of shots also included photos where the young girl was drinking beer, exposing her pubic hair and riding a motorcycle without a helmet on (and obviously, presumably without a license).
According to the suit, the photos Parry took “forces” the model “to be the object of prurient interests and provides wallpaper for the likes of pedophiles.” Did she — or her parents — not realize this when the shots were taken? And anyway, does this T-shirt look in any way scandalous to you? [NY Post] Keep reading »
This week, Urban Outfitters released its fall shoe collection–unveiling more than 600 new styles. We’ve culled through and selected the 10 best in wedges, heels, plimsouls and boots. These are the must-haves you’ll want this fall, and most of them are priced way under $100, so you can stock up without breaking the bank. Check ‘em out after the jump! Keep reading »
You’ve got to wonder, sometimes, what marketing people are thinking when they make decisions like the one Brit company Zazzle made to allow a children’s T-shirt to be sold with the words “Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels.” When the T first came to light, Zazzle claimed that it was simply “a custom products platform, it enables all users to create their own products that feature their own content. In this way, Zazzle is an outlet for users to express their personal opinions and viewpoints.” In effect, it was simply a platform for users, but not responsible for what users created with its platform. Well, Zazzle’s card has been pulled by Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority, who have deemed the shirts “harmful to children.”
You think, guys? Keep reading »
You know how people say you should only show a little skin and leave the rest to the imagination? If you’d like to remain relatively covered up while leaving nothing to the imagination, this boobtastic T-shirt might be for you. Accessorize with joke boobs and you have a whole outfit! [$14.99, Urban Outfitters] Keep reading »
Jewelry artist Stevie Koerner sells her “A World of Love” pendants on Etsy (left). They’re adorable little charms in the shapes of states with hearts cut out of them. Urban Outfitters liked the pendants so much that they decided to copy the charms, almost exactly (right), and call them “I Heart Destination Necklaces.” And they did all of this without approaching Koerner about her designs.
It’d be great if big stores like Urban worked with small designers to help get their wares out to a bigger audience — and often they do. I have several friends who create private label goods for the hip clothing company (private label is when an indie designer sells designs under another label’s name). But just as often, Urban — and other mega stores — have been caught straight up ripping off independent designers. Last summer, the company was called out for ripping off Brooklyn designer Lilian Crowe, who made necklaces featuring rib cages, spines and skulls (they’re neat-looking, really!). Keep reading »
Me: Hey now, what’s the matter?
Model: Nothing. It’s nothing.
Me: Oh come on, you can tell me. Keep reading »
How meta! Urban Outfitters sells these coy little “Embarrassing Photo Protective Sunglasses” so that you won’t have to be spotted in photos–presumably with your other too-cool-for-school-Urban-Outfitters-sporting friends. Whoa! It’s like the universe is folding in on itself! [$12, Urban Outfitters]
Keep reading »
Obviously, Urban Outfitters is an affordable trendsetting retailer, but did you know they are also MAGICIANS? Photoshop Disasters came across this image on Urban’s website in which the model dons Silence & Noise’s Ikat Dress whilst hovering. That is some David Blaine s**t right there. But seriously, Urban, I would have thought that dress was pretty damn cute even without the magical powers. Break out the bag of tricks for your more hideous offerings next time, ‘kay? [Photoshop Disasters via Styleite] Keep reading »
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