NBA reveals high-tech jerseys

By LAUREN YELNER

The National Basketball Association announced its “jersey of the future” this morning to kick off All-Star Weekend 2019. The jersey is cutting edge, with the ability to alter both the number and the player name at any time. This is something people have never seen before, as they are used to having to buy many jerseys to support all of their favorite players.

Bleacher Report publicized this release with a video that featured NBA commissioned Adam Silver showing people the functionality of the jersey, and even making it go from a Stephen Curry No. 30 jersey, to the classic Michael Jordan No. 23.

It is not surprising that the NBA is testing out technology among its clothing, as it is always trying to stay one step ahead of the game. Sports are driven by consumers who love the game, and this jersey will enhance the fans’ ability to support their favorite players without having to break the bank on a multitude of jerseys.

This jersey will not be able to withstand changes in style or players being traded, however, die hard fans of one team will be able to represent many players on a single jersey.

Sports illustrated also commented on the release of the new jerseys, adding that this was not the only technological advancement that was coming for the NBA. “Silver also announced plans for facial recognition ticketing, hologram mascots and virtual reality glasses to take fans from their couch into a virtual arena,” wrote Michael Shapiro of SI. NBA fans should be excited to see how the league keeps up with the ever-changing technology, especially in the near future.

High-heels on, wings ready to go

By NOELLE BARREDA

The infamous Victoria Secret Fashion show is something millions of people tune in to see.

Every year, there is something new to anticipate. It is either a supermodel, segment of the show, VS designs, wings and the $1 million bra.

This year the Victoria Secret Fashion Show cast some pretty cool supermodels, like Kendall Jenner, Winnie Harlow and Toni Garrn.

The iconic supermodel-BFF group will reunite this time with wings and that is something many people want to see. Bella, Gigi and Kendall will rock this year’s runway together.

Someone else who people are dying to see in wings and who will make her huge debut on such an iconic runway is Winnie Harlow. The supermodel is pretty new to the scene and was a former contestant of America’s Next Top Model. In case you are wondering, no, she didn’t win.

According to Harper’s Bazaar the Victoria Secret Fashion is where every iconic supermodel has walked. Every model that walks down that runway has a name for themselves the very next day.

Harper’s Bazaar says this year’s fantasy bra valued at $1 million will be available to buy for the first time ever, but it won’t cost you your life. A replica of the bra made from Swarovski crystals will cost $250.

They are filming the show today Nov. 8 and are premiering it exclusively on ABC Sunday, Dec. 2 at 10 EST.

Trans model attacks Trump agenda

By ISABELLA VACCARO

The Trump Administration is making plans to lawfully define gender “as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth.”

Today, Vogue decided to cover the advent of this leaked government information through the eyes and voice of transgender model and author of the article Teddy Quinlivan.

Instead of just quoting Quinlivan, having her write the actual article better conveys the drama of such a shocking and backwards-thinking potential law. For example, Quinlivan writes, “I’m 24 now, I’ve met dozens of other trans and non-gender conforming people and I know I’m not alone. I no longer feel threatened by the bullies in school and the establishment that protected them and reinforced their prejudice. Now I feel threatened by the United States government.”

Quinlivan lives her own reality of what it means to be a transgender woman in a world that is just beginning to accept them. Her tone sounds serious and dire – and reading this article gives just as broad a picture of what the Trump administration is trying to do as any hard news story you would find on CNN or The New York Times.

In my opinion, this narrative actually provides information in a much more readable, more relatable format. People are often drawn to personal stories that act as nut graphs for wider issues, rather than the sometimes-boring news briefs you see on major news sources.

Quinlivan describes her personal struggle and then segues into the broader implications of trans rights and Trump’s prejudices. The article’s passionate tone in portraying the gravity of the issue makes it all the more appealing to a reader.

Jenner scandal centers on her Afro

By NOELLE BARREDA

Kendall Jenner caught in another controversy regarding cultural appropriation.

Vogue recently recently did a shoot with the supermodel Kendall Jenner, where you see her wearing an Afro.

The Internet lashed back when these photos were published by Vogue. People took it into offense calling it cultural appropriation. According to the Daily Mail people were bashing Vogue for not have hired a model with a natural fro.

Ever since her last scandal from her Pepsi commercial, where she made it seem like police brutality wasn’t so big and that you can solve anything as easy as giving a pop. Making people skeptical regarding this new shoot.

According to DailyMail.com people are just waiting on the “half-baked apology”. Although Jenner hasn’t yet publicly apologized Vogue took the blame.

According to the Daily Mail, Vogue apologized saying, “We did not mean to offend,” insisting the look was inspired by the “puffed-out” styles of the 1960s and 1970s.”

The whole family at some point has been accused of cultural appropriation and in most cases have released a statement clearing it all up.

We will have to see and wait if the supermodel Kendall Jenner decides to give a public apology to those who she might have offended.

Kors buys Versace for $2.12 billion

By MIRIAM RUIZ

While many believe that the two fashion houses, Michael Kors and Versace do not have much in common, it seems that Michael Kors plans to take their brand to another level of luxury and prestige.

Fashion followers were mostly surprised when discovering that Versace was sold to Michael Kors. Many changes are occurring within the brand after this purchase and the growth they have planned as a company is major. Michael Kors is changing its name to Capri Holdings.

According to an article by Jessica Tyler, published by Business Insider, “The company says it aims to grow Versace’s revenue from about $808 million to $2 billion, expand its footprint from 200 stores to about 300 stores, and increase the amount of shoes and accessories it sells” (https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-kors-buys-versace-brand-history-2018-9).

In the business world of fashion this news is important and the combination of Michael Kors, Versace, and Jimmy Choo, which Michael Kors acquired in 2017 for $1.2 billion, could be a major force in the industry.

Donatella Versace released a statement that answered the most-asked question when this information became public: she promised to remain in complete control of the collections and believes that this is a positive step for the brand.

Minaj debuts new merchandise

By NOELLE BARREDA

According to People.com, the famous female rapper Nicki Minaj came out with a merch line inspired by the “Infamous” fight Minaj had with Cardi B in the Harper’s Bazaar Icon Party.

After the leaving the Icon party, Cardi B took to Instagram where she explained what and why it happened. Explaining how she is going to let Minaj do whatever she pleases including stopping her bags, but what is not going to slide is Minaj speaking ill of Cardi B’s child.

Minaj later that week took it on to her Queen Radio show where she explained her side and addressed the situation claiming never to have spoken “ill” of somebody’s child.

Nicki put no time to waste as she really is about “making money moves” coming out with a merch line poking fun at the fight she had with Cardi B.

Minaj published a photo via Instagram of a pink backpack with the saying “Nicki stopped my bag,” but that wasn’t the only item that Minaj came out with. Minaj also came out with a black t-shirt with the same quote “Nicki stopped my bag.” Accompanied with a few other items according to People.com.

Cardi B hasn’t spoken about Minaj’s new merch line, but made sure to party it up with Minaj’s ex-boyfriend Meek Mill. According to People.com it seems that the two, Cardi B and Meek Mill are teaming up on a new song.

The new project has no release date yet but what is sure is the clap-back Cardi B has in store for Minaj because Cardi B is all about “making money moves,” too.

Vogue covers Juul epidemic in new way

By ISABELLA VACCARO

Recently, the FDA issued warnings to several stores that sell Juuls to underage teenagers. They will continue these raids of Juul retailers across the country, following a barrage of complaints from parents and government officials about the detrimental effects of the highly fashionable, yet dangerous vape pen.

I have seen many news outlets cover the Juul craze; they warn of its horrifying health effects and inform readers that the FDA is taking action against the $15 billion company. The conversation has been around for a while, dating back to July, when CNN ran a piece covering the Attorney General’s investigation of Juul Labs and its supposed target market of minors.

However, it was not until I stumbled upon an article in Vogue, in which author Cazzie David, a Juul fiend herself, actually broke down the epidemic, that I became invested in the topic. David’s article, “How to Quit the Juul, According to Comedian Cazzie David,” is written as a first-person narrative that David uses to target the young generation of Juul-ers today.

She admits, halfway through the piece, that she had been Juuling while writing it — taking a “hit” every two sentences, to be exact. She uses stark metaphors to describe just how trapped Juul customers are, not only due to its “dangerously addictive” substance, but also its trendy appeal among the “cool kids,” saying that even “Coca-Cola is also widespread and addictive and still no one is Coca-Cola-ing around town.”

Everything anyone has ever thought about Juuls, but has been too afraid to admit, David blurts out, apologetically, in this piece about how to quit Juuling for good. The way she writes — seriously but masked in a humorous outer shell — makes you want to continue reading.

David lists 13 steps on how to effectively quit Juuling, each one with a more witty twist than the last. Some of her ideas? Letting a sweaty guy at a nightclub take a hit of it, buying a Gucci Juul sticker so you’re embarrassed to take it out in public, staring at yourself in the mirror with your phone in your mouth, or my favorite, imagining the moment God will replay your life for you when you die and realizing how many moments of it were spent sucking nicotine out of that Juul.

Her steps are wildly creative and funny, but many of them are actually plausible. They appeal to a young audience — an audience who is attending nightclubs and buying pack after pack of pods. It makes sense that an airy, yet actually important article like this should work in trying to help Juuling youngsters quit. The academic and sometimes arrogant language of CNN, The New York Times and other major news outlets probably push teenagers away in how they cover Juul news, but Vogue connects to its young readers, letting them know that they are not alone in this addiction, and there are ways to stop.

Beyoncé gives Yeezy heels a try

By NOELLE BARREDA

Beyoncé showed out wearing Kanye West’s shoe.

Yes, the famous entertainer wore a pair of heels from the Yeezy collection Season 5 according to Vogue.com.

Many may think because of the choice of heels Beyoncé posted on social media that maybe the allured rumors about the feud might be over? That’s something we don’t know for a fact.

What is a fact, is the re-post from West’s Instagram of Beyoncé’s Instagram post. Captioning it  “famleeeeee,” which raised questions about the “feud” being done with.

The entertainer is not new with the Yeezy fashion line as she used a collection while shooting her “Lemonade” album cover. The slick-fashion forward fashion of West is constantly evolving getting hotter each season.

The fashion forward look was composed of J.W. Anderson pieces from the Spring 2018 accompanied by a fanny pack and of course the Yeezy Season 5 clear wedge.

It would not be a surprise to see Beyoncé in any Yeezy pieces in the future.

Vogue praises amputee model

By ISABELLA VACCARO

When model Lauren Wasser lost her leg to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) in 2012, her life, which had been full of modeling and basketball, changed forever. After five years of pain and very little physical activity, she decided to have her second leg amputated, too. When the news outlets first covered her story, it was all about the dangers of TSS and the devastating effects it had on Wasser’s life. 

Today, Vogue published a story on Wasser that couldn’t be more different. The story takes a complete 360-degree turn from the sob stories told in 2017 when Wasser had her second leg amputated. Vogue instead covered Wasser’s recent success in modeling and her mission to prevent TSS from affecting others. 

Vogue’s article title, “How Lauren Wasser, Fashion’s Girl With the Golden Legs, Made a Triumphant Return,” grabs audiences with its upbeat, positive tone, and intrigues readers who may not have otherwise known about Wasser with the word-choice of “Golden Legs,” which isn’t a phrase normally used to describe fashion models. 

The story does a good job of condensing the events of Wasser’s tragic loss of her legs in one sentence, before quickly moving on to the main subject of the story — Wasser’s return to the modeling world. 

Author Janelle Okwodu provides important background information as to Wasser’s childhood, growing up as the child of model Pamela Cook, and how modeling is in Wasser’s blood. Today, Wasser models not only because she enjoys it, but in order to send a message. The other purpose of the article is to describe Wasser’s efforts in advocating a bill that would force brands to list the ingredients in their tampons. 

What seems to be missing from the article are quotes from Wasser, however there is a video which complements the story and follows Wasser on her journey from Los Angeles to New York City for Fashion Week. 

The Vogue story also proves an important point about the changing nature of journalism today. Video content is becoming the emphasis and written stories, such as this one, are playing second fiddle. 

The 300-word story almost acts as background for the main event — the video content, which expertly tells Wasser’s story with scenes in her own bedroom, town and then with the backdrop of New York City where she re-emerges into the fashion world.

Overall, Vogue’s coverage of the story is unique and refreshing in comparison with the multiple other stories written on Wasser which all dance around the tragedy piece. Their use of video content allows the story to appeal to a much wider audience and is more marketable this way on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

Rihanna show includes pregnant model

By NOELLE BARREDA

Savage X Fenty made New York Fashion Week headlines such as the one on Cosmopolitan.com for their extremely diverse cast of models including supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid, but who stole the show was model Slick Woods.

Rihanna’s muse, Slick Woods, walked the Savage X Fenty lingerie show, showcasing her bump with pasties.

The full bump looked stunning and really sent a message to women to love your body and be confident no matter what your stage in life.

Woods has been working with Rihanna in campaigns for Rihanna like Fenty Beauty. The model is not the typical cookie-cutter model and that is what Rihanna loves about her, which is why she is her muse. Woods’s look inspires Rihanna in all her projects.

Cosmopolitan.com said it is not a new thing to have pregnant models on the runway but it definitely new to have a pregnant model in lingerie with just pasties covering her breast.

It was a big risk Rihanna took, but that’s nothing new as Rihanna is known to be a trendsetter; coming through with her uncommon ideas.

The queen of fashion made sure to kill NYFW being one of the last shows to happen and Rihanna did exactly that.

California bans animal testing

By ANABELLA ZAMBRANO

California is now first in line to pass the “Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act” which will make it illegal for any products tested on animals to be sold in the state. These products include make up brands, house cleaning detergents, medicine, air refreshers and even food.

Companies like Maybelline, NARS, Benefit Cosmetics and cleaning detergent TIDE are among the hundreds of companies who test on animals but will not make a direct statement admitting it. Even though they don’t test on animals within the U.S., they still are guilty of these practices because they still sell in mainland China.

By law, China requires animal testing for foreign cosmetics companies. Make up brand NARS was cruelty-free until last year, in 2017, when it decided to sell in China to expand its brand and raise sales.

These testing procedures range from injecting the product in a rabbit’s eye with no pain killers, beagle puppies forced to inhale toxic chemicals or rats eating certain products and study how they react. It is illegal for people to take pictures of these procedures or even document them. Lack of coverage or news reports have prevented this bill to be passed.

According to VegNews.com, The California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act (SB 1249) was unanimously passed with a vote of 80-0 in the state assembly. Sen. Cathleen Galliani sponsored the bill and it will officially become law on Jan. 1, 2020.

“I’m proud of California lawmakers for moving science, industry, and ethics forward today,” Galliani said.

The cruelty-free controversy would not even be happening if it wasn’t for social media. Through Instagram, Twitter and Facebook groups numerous animal activists and animal lovers are the one’s who brought this problem to the public eye.

Animal testing is something that is highly protected by powerful make up brands and they have tried to hide their animal practices to the consumer.

Scott uses runway for political stand

By NOELLE BARREDA

Jeremy Scott used his runway to take a political stand.

Scott is known for his unapologetic style in fashion. He is very creative and is all about having fun while creating fashion.

Scott closed his show with a debut of his white t-shirt with black letters saying, “Tell your senators no on Kavanaugh.” The t-shirt statement was followed by the phone number to Washington, D.C., where you are able to call an express how you feel.

The Vogue.com article on Jeremy Scott covered who Kavanaugh is to the general public and why he is important while keeping it simple for an audience who probably isn’t politically inclined to understand.

According to Vogue.com, Scott has been very open lately on his political views with gay rights and is not holding back any time soon. Continuing showing his stance by showcasing this t-shirt during New York Fashion Week in protest to change the election of Kavanaugh.

He hopes that other designers follow his lead and speak up on what is right during NYFW where it can make a great impact.

Burberry fashion house ends use of fur

By MIRIAM RUIZ

Designer brand Burberry is turning away from using fur as a fashion statement and going green.

There is a constant discussion between the morality and ethics of using animal fur on clothing as a fashion statement. While it is a common practice to use fur for the sake of fashion, designer Riccardo Tisci’s newest collection will emphasize the responsibility that such luxurious brands have to help the environment. 

Burberry’s latest designs have been said to be made with originality and creativity while at the same time allowing the company to go green. All current items in stock that appear with fur will be eventually removed from stores.

An article on Vogue.com mentions how Burberry has been doing a good job on recycling, donations, and reusing their products. It shows that as a brand they have made a big effort in developing an alternative way to design their clothing in a way that helps the planet.

The chief executive officer of the fashion house, Marco Gobbetti, stressed on how important it is for the success of the company to follow these rules and be responsible for the environment.

While news media criticism and complaints from protestors encouraged these actions to be taken, it is an overall good strategy and will help problems with waste and the planet in general.

Burberry has stopped burning unsold goods, has started to recycle products, and now has banned the use of fur in their clothing. Riccardo Tisci is helping the brand change for the better. The company’s new twist on morale and operation to go green will be shown Sept. 17 at London Fashion Week when Riccardo Tisci’s collection will debut.

Kate Spade’s death leaves questions

By CAROLINA PEREZ

Kate Spade was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on the morning of June 5 after she allegedly took her own life. Articles on this tragedy can be found on any major digital news reporting site such as The New York Times, ABC News, CNN and NPR. Because of Spade’s contribution to the fashion industry, digital fashion magazines are also covering her death including websites like HarpersBazaar.com, TownandCountryMag.com and Cosmopolitan.com.

For the purpose of analyzing coverage by the news media on Kate Spade’s death, I chose BBC as the most reliable source of news. Click here to reference BBC article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44374844

This story began like any other breaking news story should — inverted pyramid style with the most important information highlighted at the top of the article and the least important at the end. The lead included who, what and where, but was missing the when. The next sentence stated the current investigation of her death which gave us an insight that the incident happened recently.

As a reader, the next thing I would want to know is, who is Kate Spade? BBC did just that. The story informed us on her contribution to fashion as a shoes, clothes and accessories designer.

After that, the article described details of the incident. BBC explained the discovery of Spade’s “unresponsive” body, as well as a note that was left behind. In my opinion, I feel like there was a lot of information that was left out that could’ve been included in this section of the article. Some things I would be curious about is whether or not there were signs of depression that led her to take her own life. If she allegedly took her own life, how did she do it?

BBC provided basic information but didn’t dive into detail. After the basic summary of the incident, the article ended with more information about Spade’s fashion legacy. The coverage felt incomplete and left me, as the reader, with many unanswered questions. BBC was not the only source who could’ve used more detail in their reporting.

On the other hand, I believe the news media are attempting to respect the privacy of Spade’s family. In the next few days, these news outlets will continue to fill in the missing pieces as the police investigation progresses.

Saks credit card user data hacked

By KATHERINE CERAVOLO

Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor, which are owned by Hudson’s Bay Co., were both reportedly hacked. Those affected include more than five million credit and debit card clients of these stores. Hudson’s Bay Co., has responded and stated it is working to solve the issue. The company has also declared it will compensate those affected with free identity protection services and web monitoring of the credit card information.

Gemini Advisory, a cybersecurity firm, explained that the hackers, known as JokerStash, took the data and put it up for sale on the dark web, causing this scandal to be the biggest attack on retail chains yet. The most cases of stolen information were in the New York and New Jersey locations of Saks and Lord & Taylor.

How this happened is the real question. According to the Gemini Advisory, the hackers installed unique computer codes into cash registers, sending every in-store purchaser’s information to their own computers. This explanation may be estimated because only in-store purchasers were affected while the online shoppers weren’t.

The news media are explaining what steps will be taken to ensure customer relationships and to fix the reputation of feeling safe to purchase at these megastores. The issue here is the fact that the hacking has supposedly been occurring for a year now. Why has this been able to happen? Focusing on the fact that fraudulent charges are probably unlikely, considering the purchasers of these stores buy expensive items, what are customers supposed to do when their identity is compromised?

The media need to inform customers of what is going on, as Hudson’s Bay Company is continuously investigating and enforcing regulations to prevent future situations and to keep customers’ trust. Providing a change in cybersecurity and communicating with customers is the best step to take for now.

Kate Upton joins list of #MeToo victims

On Jan. 31, former Sports Illustrated model Kate Upton took to Twitter to join the #MeToo movement.

The #MeToo movement started in October 2017. The hashtag spread through multiple social media outlets to bring attention and shed light on sexual harassment. Paul Marciano is the creative director for the brand Guess. Upton was the face of Guess from 2010-11. Upton stated that her first day shooting Marciano tried to grab her breasts. However, Marciano denied the claims while releasing a statement to Time magazine, saying “I have never been alone with Kate Upton.”

Multiple women have claimed they have been sexually harassed by men in the business industry claiming they use their power to prey on women. Upton was offered to be the face of Guess Jeans in 2014, but couldn’t accept the offer due to her experience with Marciano in 2010.

Yu Tsai, the photographer who was present during Upton’s first photo shoot with Guess confirmed Upton’s claims to Time magazine. Tsai released a statement saying “extremely moved by the strength and courage that it has taken Upton to tell her story and for the countless brave women and men who have already come forward.”

Upton, like many other women have come forward to share their stories against CEOs, executive producers and other men in high positions in business.

Guess declined to comment on Upton’s allegations in an interview with Time magazine. Upton blames her experience with Marciano on her lack of confidence in the modeling industry and said she contemplated quitting. Upton said she hopes coming forward will inform other people on the appropriate behavior in and out of the workplace with one another.

British Vogue appoints new top editor

By SHELLIE FRAI

Just a month after the death of Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia’s long-time editor-in-chief, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman, resigned from her post after 25 years.

Shulman’s resignation was announced during Paris Fashion Week, leaving the magazine’s publishing company, Conde Nast, scrambling to find her replacement amid the chaos of the industry’s busiest time of the year.

However, two days ago British Vogue announced it found her replacement — Edward Enninful, 45. Making him the first nonwhite man to take on the responsibility of editing one of the most powerful women’s fashion publications in the world in the magazine’s 100-year history.

Enninful is a smart choice due to his years of experience in the industry, beginning as a model for i-D magazine he was 16 and becoming the magazine’s fashion editor at just 18.

After working 20 years for i-D magazine, Enninful became the creative and fashion director of Conde Nast’s W magazine, using his unique vision to raise the publication’s popularity and revenue.

Enninful also worked as a contributing editor to Vogue Italia. He is credited for helping curate one of the magazine’s most famous issues, “The Black Issue,” which featured only black models and was so popular Conde Nast had to print 400,000 additional copies.

Two years ago, Enninful was awarded the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator at the British Fashion Awards. The prize commemorates outstanding people in the fashion industry for their contributions to the sector.

Not only is Enninful a powerful figure in the fashion industry, but a recognized advocate for diversity. Last year, Queen Elizabeth II honored him, as part of her birthday honors, for his efforts in diversifying the fashion industry.

Due to Enninful’s charismatic presence and passion for the industry, he has friends in all aspects of the sector. Taking fashion icons Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell as dates to the Met Gala and standing next to Michelle Obama in Instagram photos are but a few examples.

His well-rounded Rolodex of connections will be very useful and important when he takes on the role of editor in chief of British Vogue Aug. 1.

Vogue highlights mental health

By SHELLIE FRAI

For Vogue’s 125th year anniversary, Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief, decided that in light of the recent societal tension and due to the predominant audience of the publication, the magazine would highlight women that are impacting the world for better in each issue for the rest of 2017.

To debut the plan, March’s issue was titled “Women Rule!” and it featured a cover with seven models of different ethnicities, sizes and race, with a caption that read “the beauty revolution: no norm is the new norm.”

In the latest issue of Vogue that debuted this earlier week, pop star and fashion icon, Selena Gomez is on the cover.

While that might not be shocking to some, the story that was featured next to her photographs surprised many.

Gomez not only talked about the facade celebrities must put on when they are watched by most of the world, but how common it is to not only people of influence and how the lack of conversation about that facade is detrimental.

Gomez talks for the first time about checking into a psychiatric facility herself and how therapy changed her life. She goes on to say how mental health awareness and therapy shouldn’t be stigmatized but encouraged.

This topic has not been talked about to this extent in the magazine before, and for it to come from a person of such influence is new to not only Vogue but to many fashion magazines.

Vogue emphasized that many see Gomez as just a million-dollar actress and a singer. However, she is also the executive producer of “13 Reasons Why” a mini-series about mental health and suicide awareness, and an advocate for dialectical behavior therapy, which focuses on borderline personality disorder.

Gomez is using her fame and stature to break down walls that say your mental health is not important. She is giving a voice to many that feel they aren’t good enough.

I believe Anna Wintour chose to tell Gomez’s story as part of her “Women Rule!” movement to highlight the fact that just as women are powerful and strong, they are allowed to breakdown and cry. We are all only human.

This issue is sending a message that in an environment where it is frowned upon to look vulnerable and weak, sometimes those can be your greatest weapons, which makes Gomez the perfect person to highlight for Vogue’s 125-year anniversary.

CFDA unveils fashion award nominees

By SHELLIE FRAI

With film award season over, a less publicized, yet equally as important, award season commences, American fashion award season.

Every year during the spring and early summer, fashion designers, retailers and brands join forces to celebrate the winners of the CFDA Fashion Awards.

The CFDA stands for the Council of Fashion Designers of America and was founded in 1962. Each year the council awards America’s future and established fashion talent at their fashion awards.

For the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards, chairwoman and former creative director at her namesake label, Diane von Furstenberg, unveiled the list of nominees.

The nominees were not surprising due to the brilliance and beauty of the collections they have displayed throughout fashion month in February. The list includes, Joseph Altuzarra, Raf Simons, Marc Jacobs and Thom Browne and past winners Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.

However, to some in the fashion industry, the amount of designers from abroad being honored were staggering.

Robert Geller, a Germany-based designer, was nominated for the first time in the Menswear Designer category. He is up against big names like Calvin Klein, Thom Browne and Todd Snyder.

Demna Gvasalia, the Belgian wunderkind that launched his millennial hit label, vetements, just a few years ago will receive the International Award for his work at Balenciaga and vetements.

Finally, Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia editor-in-chief who recently passed away last year, will be honored posthumously with the Fashion Icon Award.

The award show will take place June 5, giving the fashion industry a season to wait anxiously.

However, until then the CFDA will keep busy.

Throughout the year the foundation provides monetary assistance in the form of resources and support to students at high schools to the graduate level. The CFDA also kick-starts fashion designers careers through the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund that provides business opportunities and publicity to emerging designers.

Pair arrested for counterfeit jewelry

By COURTNEY ADELMAN

Miami-Dade County recently arrested two jewelry store owners for selling high-end jewelry that was fake.

Jimmy Hernandez, 40, and Tania Varona, 57, were co-owners of Joyeria The Lord of the Rings Collection. Both were arrested for counterfeiting services and good worth more than $20,000.

investigators say that they see name-brand jewelry sold at its normal retail price.

This jewelry included items from Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Gucci, Hermes, Lous Vuitton, Micheal Kors, Movaddo, Ray Ban, Rolex, Tiffany, Tory, Tous, Van Cleef & Arpels and Yves St. Laurent.

If all of this jewelry were authentic and new the arrest would have claimed for counterfeiting about $31,000.

Whether or not this is important news is hard to say. This arrest and incident did not hurt anyone. I feel that it wouldn’t be until they continued this business that the store owners would get into worse things.

However, I don’t see this story posing any threat to people in nearby areas. I did fin it interesting because I enjoy jewelry and would not want to buy something fake.

So in that sense, it is important to report this so people know that if they have ever bought something from this store, it is counterfeit.