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.

Victoria Beckham Handbags Sell Out In The USA!

Well it would appear that Victoria Beckham, singer and wife of soccer super star David Beckham, has the hottest product to hit the USA since the Spice Girls doll set! While Mrs. Beckham is recognized for being a fashion icon, her handbag designs seem to have become a huge hit state side. Her bags become available on Net-A-Poster.com and they sold out in hours, however these leather bags don't come cheap. One of the most popular items was her crocodile handbag that sold for nearly $13,500. Now if this is a little out of your price range, her least expensive bag is selling for $3,500. Clearly Victoria Beckham designs don't come cheap!
This is important PR because a celebrity that was once huge in American for singning, comes back to fame by doing something different, its important that the message is delivered.

Willow Smith Does Teen Vogue

Willow Smith, the talented daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, seems to have become HUGE overnight. Willow is an extremely talented and fashionable 10 year old, who came onto the music scene with her single, "Whip My Hair". She has also become famous for her fashion choices as well. Here is was she had to say in her Teen Vogue interview. 

On her style:

"I wear anything I feel like. If I want to put on a pair of Converse with a pencil stuck through them, I will. [Dolce & Gabbana’s] designs are really cool."

On her hit Whip My Hair and its positive message:

"When I first put ['Whip My Hair'] out, everyone was like, ‘Willow, Willow, I love your song!’ And I was like, ‘Really?’ Whipping your hair means not being afraid to be yourself. If people don’t like you, then bunck them, you know?"

On fame:

"I have no privacy . . . even when I’m skating. You can pick how famous you want to be. If you don’t work hard, then you aren’t going to have the success that you want. But if you work hard and dig in, then you are going to have the success that you want."

Sounds like a pretty smart 10 year old to me! I am looking forward to seeing her more in the future

2010 PR Sinners & Winners Awards

SINNER


According to www.odwyerpr.com the PR sinner of the year for 2010 was Julian Assange. Julian Assange spent most of his youth as a computer programer and hacking. However, his international fame didn't start until his adulthood. Assange founded WikiLeaks in 2006 and became Leaker and Chief of the organization. WikiLeaks is an international non-profit organization that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous new sources and news leaks. While many people have praises Julian Assange, many hate him for his leaking abilities. Assange was arrested in 2010 and is residing at London's Wandsworth prison.  
    I can see how Julian Assange is a huge threat to companies as well as people. We all have the right to freedom of speak but somethings should be confidential from the public. Assange wants us to believe that he was publishing those things for the good of people, but I think his motivations are more selfish, and I believe he is seeking fame. I am happy to hear that his news reports will be on hold while he is in prison. 


WINNER

On a different note, we have the man that has won the 2010 PR Winner award, and that goes to Chris Christie. New York Gov. Chris Christie's youtube videos where he addresses a Californian about comments made about a New Jersey teacher, was "stuff of cyber legends". The 2010 winner tell it like it is, and is truly a PR dream.
     I agree with this winner because he really didn't hold back on addressing an issue and he spoke for himself. PR can be done in many ways, however, Christie was able to speak about a problem and have people view him in the easiest and fastest way possible, youtube.

Paris Hilton Releases New Fragrance Line

Paris Hilton has proven herself to be a true jack of all trades in the fashion world. She has modeled for designers such as, GUESS and Christian Dior, collaborated with Japanese purse label, Samantha Thavasa, and even has her own jewelry line with Amazon.com and it hasn't stopped there. Her latest endeavor is fragrance. According to cocoperez.com, Paris Hilton's new fragrance line is call "The Passport Collection".

Paris Hilton, "The Passport Collection"

Hilton has recently released a photo of her new perfume line and to me it looks pretty similar to Gwen Stefani's fragrance line, Harajuku Lovers. The bottles are clearly different, however, the Japanese theme that Gwen Stefani  has become famous for, seems to have inspired Paris Hilton. I feel like Hiltons fragrance line look has been seen before and to me, it is not nearly has cute and different has Harajuku Lovers original.

Gwen Stefani', "Harajuku Lovers"

Anit-Anorexia Model Dies

French Model, Isabelle Caro, who was known for her anti-anorexia ads, has died due to unknown causes at age 28. She passes away in November 2010 but it has only been made public this week. 

Caro suffered from a severe case of anorexia from the age of 13. She claimed that her eating disorder derived from a troubled childhood, as well as feeling the pressures to stay skinny in the modeling world. 

In 2007, Caro was featured in a controversial ad campaign that feathered her naked to show the true horrors and the severity of anorexia. In a response to the ad Caro stated, "I wanted to show, in its raw state, the full horror of anorexia." Cynthia Bulik, director of the UNC Eating Disorders Program at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill released the statement, "I think it is so important that a high-profile death remind us of all of the less high-profile people who are struggling and dying." Isabelle Caro's life was taken at a much too young age, and now more than ever, its important that we understand and recognize the true dangers of anorexia. 
Caro's last years of life were dedicated to building awareness about anorexia via her blog and interviews. Because of her death, the media surrounding it has brought examples of organizations that can help people just like Isabelle Caro to seek help. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa And Associated Disorders (ANAD), is a non-profit dedicated to the prevention and alleviation of eating disorders since 1976. They have many forms of help, such as a hotline, treatment programs, and volunteer opportunities that will help people like Caro before its too late.  


The Link For ANAD
http://www.anad.org/

The Kardashian Kollection

It would seem that the three Kardashian sisters, Kim, Kourtney , and Khloe have been seen everywhere. Not only has their reality show been extremely successful, which will soon be on it's 6th consecutive season, but now the sisters are releasing their own clothing line with Sears. 

The Kardashian sister have already teamed up with more expensive designer, Bebe, as well as having their own swimsuit line. Their Sears collection is called "The Kardashian Kollection" and it will be available in 400 Sears stores in August.  The collection will consist of hats, shoes, clothes, lingerie, and jewelry. The Kardashian sisters stated that the collection will “embrace Kim’s glamorous red carpet looks, Kourtney’s more Bohemian chic vibe and Khloe's rocker style," as well as stating "Sears will allow us to reach multigenerational of fans and people who are interested in fabulous clothing at affordable prices." I happen to agree with the Kardashian sisters. I'm happy that they have shined away from teaming up with more expensive labels, and are now understanding a wider group of fans and what's affordable for the average person. I am excited to see if the sister designs are able to be fashionable all while staying in a specific price point.