It was recently announced that New York City is continuing their crackdown on counterfeit products being sold on Canal Street.

On Thursday councilwoman Margaret Chin, who represents the Chinatown district, plans to introduce a bill that would punish those buying designer knockoffs.

If caught in the act, shoppers would face a $1,000 fine or a year in jail.

While this might sound like a harsh punishment, counterfeit bags, shoes, and belts are against the law to sell, despite the large market for them. However, many people are skeptical that this will actually happen.  One officer flat out said "it's never going to fly" because it would be too difficult to enforce. While this might be true, if people know that there it a fine of $1,000 or a year in jail, they might be less likely to buy a fake. 

This is important PR because this could effect a lot of people. I personally know a lot of people that carry or have bought fake bags, and this news could be important to them the next time the don't buy the real deal. 

Model Is Heading To Space

Victoria Secret model, Doutzen Kroes has announced that she will be going to space in 2014.

The supermodel paid for a seat on board one of the first Dutch commercial flights to space, the Space Expedition Curacao.

Doutzen has stated:

“My work has literally brought me to the most beautiful places on earth. But apparently nothing is as beautiful as the view of the earth from space. Astronauts who have been lucky enough to have had that experience, say it is life changing. I cannot wait to go."

This is quite the adventure, and hopefully the trip will be everything she wants and more! This is important PR for her because is shows that Doutzen is exploring places that few people ever have. Plus, it showcases the advancements in modern space science. 

Heidi Klum Stands Up To Cancer

Heidi Klum is using her fame to build awareness about cancer. The Stand Up To Cancer campaign has selected the model to be the face of their newest ad. Heidi Klum has been involved with many causes and charities, but finds this one very important.

Klum stated:

“If you don’t want to be OUT, you can be IN by joining me and the Stand Up to Cancer movement in the fight against cancer. Let's all say Auf Wiedersehen to cancer together!”

Stand Up To Cancer co-founder Laura Ziskin adds:

“We’re deeply grateful for Heidi’s support. … Heidi understands first-hand the hell cancer wreaks in families and friends. We hope others will be inspired by Heidi to take a stand for their loved ones and join the fight against cancer. Purchasing one of these sweatshirts is a very simple way to do that, as all of the net proceeds go directly to fund research.”

This is great PR, not only for Stand Up To Cancer campaign, but also Heidi Klum.

Forever 21 Supports Japan

Many companies around the world have done what they can to help out Japan during this extremely hard time, and Forever21 is the latest retail store to join in the fight. Forever21 has announced that on Friday, March 25, 100% of online sales will go directly to benefit earthquake and tsunami relief. This will enable people to be motivated to donate money, as well as keeping people aware of the relief effort that's happening around the world. This is important PR because this is helping the stores image to customers who already know about Forever21, and it's making people aware about it who have never shopped there online store before, which could create new customers. Overall this is a great cause and a very good idea by Forever21.

Rafael Nadal Turns Model

It seems to be an on going trend that athletes have been introduced into the modeling world, and it would appear that Rafael Nadal is no exception. The number 1 tennis player in the world has striped down to just his underwear for

Emporia Armani Underwear and Armani Jean’s Spring/Summer 2011 collections. Nadal is not the only celeb to endorse Armani, Megan Fox has been made even more famous from her ad campaign last year. Nadal is at the top of the tennis world, and he seems to have made quite a stir amongst fans who are happy to see a different side of the athlete.

This is imporant to PR because Nadal is giving off a much different image of himself, than just being a normal athlete.

Model Noemie Lenoir Opens Up About Her Suicide Attempt

On May 9, 2010, Noemie Lenoir was found passed out and unconscious, after a suspected suicide attempt in a park near her home in Paris. She was rushed to hospital where large quantities of drugs and alcohol were found in her system. Prior to this terrible event, Lenoir was a very successful french super model, and  modeled for companies such as, Gap, Victoria's Secret and Next. Because of her fame from modeling, he suicide attempt gained huge media coverage and people have been seeking answers from the model to find out what went wrong in her almost flawless looking life. 

Now almost a year later after she tried taking her life, Lenoir finally feels like she can open up about the terrible event.


“Last May, I did something really, really stupid. I had been living in New York and I moved back to Paris, to try again with the father of my son."

Noemie has a 6-year-old son with her footballer ex-boyfriend, Claude Makélélé. She adds:

"It was a big change. I wasn't so healthy in Paris… I couldn't find a gym, and exercise is important to me because I am very hyper. I came straight from New York to living in Claude's house, and I really wanted it to work, and it didn't work out. He hurt me… so I decided… I don't know how to say this. It was like a bad, bad depression, a very deep depression. I felt really alone.

It wasn't just like, 'I'm here, don't ignore me.' Nothing like that. I really thought I wanted… I decided to… "

And she continues to answer the question of, how could she leave her baby behind, with:

"People say, 'How could she do it, how could she try and kill herself, didn't she think about her son?' But they don't understand. I love my son so much. But I didn't think I was good enough, I thought I was poison. Poison for me and poison for him. When I was depressed I felt like I was poisoning his life by being in it. I thought he would be better with his dad and my mum to look after him. I didn't realise I was hurting anyone, until I woke up in the hospital and saw my mum crying."

Noemie was very lucky that she was saved in time, for her sake, as well as all of those she would of left behind. I hope she continues to get help to battle her depression, and keeps getting well. 


If you or anyone you know is batteling dresstion visit this website: http://www.hopefordepression.org/

Model Falls at Christian Siriano Fall 2011 Runway Show

Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano, had more of a show then what he bargained for, when one of his models fell while on the runway. Siriano was debuting his Fall 2011 line at New York Fashion Week when the incident happened. Unfortunately for the model, photos where taken of her after her spill down the runway. This is Christian Siriano's third year at New York Fashion Week, and it would seem to many that this has been one of the most memorable years yet!

This is important PR because many people like to see negative things in the media rather then good things. However, this might seem like bad PR for Christian Siriano but it looks like it might work in his favor because more people will be looking at this fashion line, just to see this model take a nasty spill.