Just because a piece of fashion has a big name label on it, and just because it’s super expensive, doesn’t make it a must-have or chic item. A fashion victim is a sucker who buys something just because she can – with no logical thought of style and value. Here’s a few examples of items that certainly take the cake, courtesy of LollieShopping.com. Head to the site to see the rest of these luxury fashion misses!
Christian Louboutin Paw Pumps ($5000): I truly believe CL came up with these shoes to make fun of the 1% who can afford to buy them and are dumb enough to wear them. They have to be a joke, right? I mean, they HAVE to be. Oh, please tell me that CL is just a big ol’ mean girl like me and that these shoes were nothing more than a prank on rich ladies.

One of my favorite episodes of “Real Housewives of New York” is the one in which the Countess calls Alex’s shoes “Herman Munster shoes,” to which Alex replies, “They’re Louis Vuitton.” “Well, even Louis Vuitton can make a mistake, darling,” the Countess cleverly counters. She’s right. Just because something has a designer label on it doesn’t make it stylish, fashionable or pleasing to the eye. LollieShopping.com explains this with a debate on the above Christian Louboutin shoe — read on and share your opinion at LollieShopping.com.

Does Christian Louboutin really have the right to exclusively have red-soled shoes? Read on for this fascinating analysis by lawyer Catlan McCurdy.

April of this year, shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, turned heads in the fashion and trademark crowds when the brand sued Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) for infringing Louboutin’s signature look: red-soled shoes. Duets covered it here. Both interested lawyers and fashion aficionados have been awaiting some form of decision, and our wishes were granted a couple weeks ago when Judge Victor Marrero denied Louboutin’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented YSL from selling the red-soled shoes in its Cruise 2011 collection. Shipgoers everywhere sighed in relief. Judge Marreo not only denied the preliminary injunction, but additionally indicated that Louboutin would be unsuccessful if they continued in their suit against YSL and ordered Louboutin to show why the action should not be converted into a partial summary judgment.

I was surprised at the decision. Louboutin’s red-soles seem as iconic as Tiffany’s blue boxes and the Gucci stripe. But after reading the decision, Judge Marreo demonstrates that Louboutin may have shot themselves in their own elegantly-shod foot.

A color can be a trademark if it acts as symbol that distinguishes a firm’s goods and identifies their source, without serving any other significant function. Louboutin stated that he chose the color red for the soles of his shoes to create a shoe that would be more “engaging” and “sexy,” because red “attracts men to the women who wear my shoes.” Well, red also attracts the attention of bulls and hummingbirds. And district court judges.

Judge Marreo used Louboutin’s own reasoning for picking the color red as evidence of the color’s functionality when he stated that, “the outsole of a shoe is, almost literally, a pedestrian thing. Yet, coated in a bright and unexpected color, the outsole becomes decorative, an object of beauty. To attract, to reference, to stand out, to blend in, to beautify, to endow with sex appeal – all comprise nontrademark functions of color in fashion….Because in the fashion industry color serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition, the Court finds that Louboutin is unlikely to be able to prove its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection, even if it has gained enough public recognition in the market to have acquired secondary meaning.”

This decision has sounded something akin to yelling fire in a movie theater within the fashion industry. Vogue UK is hypothesizing that other color marks in fashion could be in peril now. Louboutin has promised that they will appeal this decision and the legal team is using the additional time granted by Judge Marreo to seek evidence on how the fashion industry operates, how designers select colors and whether Louboutin’s trademark would be a “hindrance to competition,” as indicated by Judge Marreo in his ruling. YSL has stated that seeking additional evidence is time-consuming and useless, but seeing as how Louboutin’s trademark is in danger of being cancelled, their efforts are completely understandable.

-Catlan McCurdy

For more on collaborations with creativity and the law, check out the Duets Blog

Stiletto Jungle found the perfect Spring platform pump — the Report Signature Calyer Slatted Pump.
Allie is Wired has a first look at the new Britney Spears Femme Fatale album cover.
BagBliss is in love with the effortlessly cool Stella McCartney Falabella
Proenza Schouler is THE it bag designer of the moment, and Bag Snob has the perfect Keep All for you!
Beauty Snob has Cartier de Lune, a gorgeous scent to take you through late winter and into spring.
Coquette is drooling over Lucky Magazine’s February cover girl, Nicole Richie and her vintage Chanel bag collection.
Fashion Pulse Daily picks its favorite styles from the Loeffler Randall Spring 2011 Collection – which one is yours?
The Jet Set Girls are partnering with Olay to give away five Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing Systems!
KRISTOPHER DUKES is using ZEO Smartwake Alarm.
Stilettos tone your legs better than Fit Flops–science proves it! SHEfinds rounded up the very best stilettos and pumps to make your life easier.
Second City Style has two points of view in He Said/She Said: The SAG Awards Red Carpet.
Shopping and Info loves the Isabel Marant leather jacket seen on Kate Moss in Elle Magazine.
The Beauty Stop checks out the new Texas Collection by OPI.
The Shoe Goddess has found the perfect Christian Louboutin cork wedge!

Stiletto Jungle goes beyond basic black with the new work-appropriate Jimmy Choo Cosmic Printed Pump.
Allie is Wired covers the very pregnant Miranda Kerr covering Vogue Australia.
BagBliss chats with Kooba’s Abbe Held!
The whole Prada bag at Bag Snob just works together magically.
Smoky, Sultry and Smoldering with Bobbi Brown at Beauty Snob.
Coquette picks her favorite limited edition makeup palettes that have arrived just in time for the holidays.
Fashion Pulse Daily guides you to the best picks from the LANVIN for H&M Collection
The Jet Set Girls wonder if you’ve got what it takes to be one of MAC’s Fall 2011 models!
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting Tony Burch Leopard Silk Robe.
Manolo has realized two things about the movie My Fair Lady. Conclusion the First: Eliza Doolittle was the prostitute.
Oprah’s Favorite Things show airs today – SHEfinds provides a refresher course of her past favorites and will have the scoop later today with this year’s must-have gifts.
Second City Style thinks since it’s almost holiday time, it’s time to discuss dressing up the LBD
Shopping and Info loves Angelina Jolie’s black Prada riding boots she has been wearing in Budapest.
The Beauty Stop takes a close look at LipFusion Plump & Replump Lipstick.
The Shoe Goddess needs these V-Style: Personal stylist, Vanessa Valiente, let’s you in on the best slacks for your professional looks.

Stiletto Jungle shows where you can find Julia Roberts’s engraved gold Eat Pray Love earrings.
Allie is Wired has pictures from the Justin Bieber / Kim Kardashian photo shoot for Elle magazine.
Flirty dress, sweater and jeans, business setting and wild night out – Bag Snob has the bag that is that versatile!
Beauty Snob loves this line that was created with a specific mission in mind – to stay youthful while still putting your skin through the rigors of life!
Fashion Pulse Daily finds shoes that you’ve never seen the likes of before via the Iris van Herpen and United Nude Footwear Collaboration
The Jet Set Girls reveal the contents of Alice + Olivia designer, Stacey Bendet’s carry on.
Second City Style gives the thumbs up to some of our favorite e-commerce sites in Shopping With Andra Awards Part II.
Shopping and Info loves the new fall Christian Louboutin Tinazata peep toe shoes.
StyleBakery has fallen for gray nail polish and found 6 shades from $2 and up
Hat guru Eugenia Kim chats with StyleCaster about the end of minimalism, science and the surprising destination that just might be her ideal workspace.
The Beauty Stop asks, would you spend $1500 on makeup brushes?
The Shoe Goddess gets a sneak peek at poker player Beth Shak’s closet!

Let’s face it: there’s hardly anything realistic about Sex and the City. From a writer’s salary supporting a shoe addiction to a Manolo-identifying thief, to constantly dining at five star restaurants, devouring the latest fashions like their McDonald’s french fries, always finding time every week for your friends, dating millions of guys, and going for both Aiden and Mr. Big types – its  easy to conclude that these ladies live on a kind of parallel universe to the real Manhattan. As a fashion writer for the past seven years, I know that I won’t be buying an apartment with a walk-in closet on a quaint, tree-lined block anytime soon, and acknowledge that the perception of the fab foursome is skewed. However, I’ve watched the show since its inception, and love them nonetheless. It’s definitely a fantasy, and in some ways, perhaps a tad bit aspirational that at the core of this series is a tale about women and how crucial the bonds that they’ve formed with each other outlast other relationships and how every trial  that  comes their way does not escape their friends’ support. I digress; think what you must about the latest installment in the story, Sex and the City 2, but one thing is for certain — the fashion is fabulous!! I’ve pulled some actual pieces seen in the movie, but also others that are a million times more budget friendly, for us girls who enjoy a splurge from time to time, but mainly keep it real with our budget and style – enjoy!

Absolutely, #1 on my SATC 2 list – these fabulous gold and diamond Cleopatra earrings by the lovely Wendy Brandes $7,250

It may not be a dead-ringer for the Halston dress worn on the movie poster, but the Flirty Convertible Dress certainly has elegant lines and a complimentary cross-over cut. You can wear it as:

Knotted-front halter
• Halter
• One-shoulder
• Strapless
• Tie-waist
• Twist-front halter
• Skirt
• Twist-around
• Back-braided
• Cross-back
AND, oh yeah,  it’s $95

We love Kara Ross – and great to see her bag in the movie (Miranda also carries one!) Check out a similar Kara Ross bag here (about $1,100)

And for the final piece – the sparkly Louboutins seen in the film are to die for -but, for $28.49, you won’t cry one bit when some sequins fall off of these Liliana by Adi Women’s Glittering Pointed-toe Stilettos

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[Images via WWD.com]

Stephen Burrows started with sharp, bright colors: a yellow top, creamy prints, lime green tights. Whether it’s the printed skirts or the elegant silk tops, drapery eased its way into the collection. Terrified of the winter chill but eager to sport something more elaborate than a hoodie? Try Stephen’s hooded wrap tops, printed, draped, brightly-colored – weather, check; style, check. From the fun and fancy, he progressed to the tough and athletic, displaying pants with knee caps, sporty jackets and a cropped jacket with voided shoulders. From knits, prints, silk tops to funky accessories, the collection certainly showed Stephen’s range and fashion industry experience.

- Justina Lee

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Via the lovelies at thefind.com

The short romper jumpsuit has grown up. No longer just for playdates at the playground. Now available in sophisticated styles and sizes for grown ups, the summer romper is one way to keep cool and maintain your style credibility. Honed in fabrics like silk, knit and linen these delicate little short jumpsuits look very pretty dressed up with a pair of ankle tie wedge espadrilles.

We spotted a few short romper jumpsuits and are coveting them as our go-to summer uniform. Haven’s ‘Amy’ silk print romper embraces a subtle ethnic tonal print with a blouse effect and tie waist. Pair it with an eye-catching pair of beaded wedge espadrilles. Emblazoned with the signature zigzag pattern the Missoni Fortaleza woven jumpsuit indulges our search for “La Dolce Vita” with a spaghetti strap tank and flowing shorts. The Missoni jumpsuit is perfect for a bikini cover up or night on the town. Twin the Missoni jumpsuit is a pair of Louboutin light blue ankle tie espadrilles. Elizabeth and James’ black silk summer romper will be the urban girl’s best friend. A decidedly daring jumper for the perfect downtown look. Don a pair of black caged sandals or beach-ify the look with a pair of black ankle tie espadrilles. Alexander Wang’s edgy zipper-embellished silk short romper is made even cooler with a graphic marble print. Pair the oversized short jumpsuit with a pair of pretty lavender hued Louboutin espadrilles.

Our picks for short romper jumpsuits (top left clockwise):

Haven ‘Amy’ Print Silk Romper, $118 at Nordstrom.com
Report Kemba Espadrille, $31.63 at 6pm.com

Missoni Fortaleza woven jumpsuit $715, at Net-a-Porter
Christian Louboutin slate blue moire ‘Moirismo’ ankle-tie espadrilles, $240.00 at Bluefly.com

Elizabeth and James Summer Romper, $325.00 at IvyBlue.com
Women’s Jersey Ankle-Tie Wedges, $19.99 at OldNavy.com

Alexander Wang silk marble oversized romper, $339 at ShopBird.com
Christian Louboutin purple twill ‘Brigitte’ ankle-tie espadrilles, $196 at Bluefly.com

Zipper detailed accessories add an edgy dose of ’80s punk to handbags and shoes this season. Add a slash of Sid Vicious inspiration with this fun trend for summer. Look for zippers that add an embellishment that is not purely functional. The zipper frill sandal by Pour la Victoire’s zipper “flower” is pure over-the-top whimsy. We also love the bold zippers and crystal zipper pulls by Christian Louboutin. Wear these zipper accessories with a pair of destroyed jeans and oversized Alexander Wang tank.

Featured from upper left clockwise:
- Christian Louboutin Zip-Detail Clutch, $1,295.00 at Neiman Marcus
- CC SKYE The Skye Bag Black, $699.00 at Zappos.com
- Zipper Frill Sandal by Pour la Victoire, $198.00 at FreePeople
- Michael Michael Kors “Robertson” Zipper T-Strap Platform Sandals, $150.00 at Lord & Taylor ]]> http://fashionpulsedaily.com/2009/06/10/on-trend-zipper-accessories-add-a-dash-of-punk-inspired-whimsy/feed/ 0