FASHIONBOSS ENCORE: SUNDAY FASHION RECAP
FASHION LAW: Intern-al Woes
Calvin Klein Wants You to Work for Free? | A series of intern lawsuits is surfacing in the fashion sphere, and Calvin Klein is not exempt from the ripple effect. Caught in a class action lawsuit from former intern, Rajwinder Kaur, the 7.8 billion dollar corporation is being sued for reclassifying interns as entry-level workers to avoid paying minimum wage for their successors. Kaur filed the suit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against Calvin Klein, a division of Philip Van Hausen (PVH). Kaur claimed she worked long hours, set up fashion events, did data entry work, researched trends, and handled merchandise over 28-30 hours a week without receiving any sort of compensation. Calvin Klein and its parent company is in for some heat as Kaur’s complaint subjects the violations of the New York Labor Law against its defendant for unlawful conduct and purposely denying plaintiffs of compensation.
…And Marc Jacobs Does, Too | Falling in line with other fashion houses such as Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta that have or are experiencing similar situations, Marc Jacobs International undertakes a case of their own brought on by a former disgruntled intern. The plaintiff, Linney Warren, claims that during her three month (April-June 2009) internship as a production intern for Marc Jacobs International, she was treated unfairly. She further argues that the internship program in place at her former employer violates New York state law and wrongly classifies entry-level employees as “interns” to avoid payment in an effort to minimize costs.
FASHION & STYLE: Celebrity (Style)
Beyoncé Is ALSO a Topshop Tastemaker | British retailer Topshop is the latest to benefit from Queen Bey’s golden branding touch. In an interview with WWD, Topshop owner Sir Philip Green said he and Beyoncé chatted last February about doing a project together. Eight weeks later, they agreed to launch a new athletic street-wear brand, making Beyoncé the retailer’s first bonafide celebrity endorser. Green said many details still need arranging, including a team and office space: New York being the likely base of choice. The inspiration behind the line is Beyoncé’s active lifestyle, which usually revolves around rehearsing and working out, promoting her signature brand of feminine health and sexual empowerment to fans. On Nov. 5, Topshop is set to open a 40,000 square foot flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York.
BUSINESS OF FASHION: ‘Scandale’ in Hollywood
Halle Berry Thinks You Need New Lingerie | Actress and entrepreneur Halle Berry has partnered with French lingerie brand Scandale. Established in 1932, the line was created by Robert Perrier and is known for its elegant, sophisticated hosiery in the French tradition. It is noted that upon its first few creations, an assistant of the legendary manufacturer exclaimed “C’est un scandale!” (It’s a scandal!) after touching a super light girdle. Berry became a fan of the brand while visiting France with husband Olivier Martinez, and began working to relaunch the label with Target with lower price tags. The North American launch was scheduled for Oct. 27 in Target stores. Future prospects of going global is set for 2015.
Image via Helena Bonham Carter for Marc Jacobs F/W ’11-’12 by Juergen Teller
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