A new and official fashion design caucus was recently formed on Capitol Hill. Of its inevitable success, co-chair Carolyn B. Maloney said,

"We are working on a bill now for copyright protection and we are going to pass it this session."

All of the flickr fashion sketches claiming copyright, currently it's partly-erroneous. Click to view owners.

“Counterfeits with pirated designs and fake labels are absolutely prohibited by law, but it doesn’t provide any protection for the same fashion design when the pirates omit the label. ... We’ve got to stop that and we will stop that.”

There has been a movement from very small fashion designers and crafters to stop such a bill, in the thoughts that it would be cost-prohibitive to very small business. Even though I'm attempting to become one of those designers/businesses, I absolutely am for this protection. Despite the cost, depending on exactly how high it could rise, it has potential to stop huge, famous companies from creating and selling indie designs almost completely under the radar to unwitting customers. Since most people don't know this theft exists, these unscrupulous business people are absolutely the ones who get away with this crime more often. Don't you want to protect your fellow crafters and Internet peers from the big bullies with power? We can help take their power away. Sure, putting out a collection will mean saving more money first, and we'll have to be super-secretive about our designs and sketches until we have our protection (there is a debut time limit to even get things copyrighted) - but I see it as a long-term saver. Of course, stores like Forever 21 could either suffer or suddenly need to get creative, namely cheap clothesmakers will have to ... design. Dun dun dunnn. Perhaps we won't be able to wear runway style, but I hope companies will still make fabulous but more unique pieces. Who wants to look like a fashion victim in an unoriginal, anyway? Besides, we can still wear things like Zac Posen for Target. Also, it would be nice to prohibit celebrities like Paris Hilton from making blatant shoe knockoffs. Plus with those companies requiring more-in-number and more-creative design, there should be a larger number of design job openings, and ones for more talented people. That could also benefit the community of smaller designers. Do you agree/disagree? Comment! If you want this to pass, and especially if you have requests for stipulations (like a maximum fee amount), please write to your local legislature! Via The Cut

Usually this might be a "style steal" bargain post on your typical blog, but while I love shopping, this is no shopping blog. We focus on design, and we hate celebrity "designers" who don't follow through with unique design when they place their names on lines.

Valentino   VS   Paris Hilton

Sure, I don't mind some bargain-priced couture trends. I love Easy Spirit's "E Collection" because it's stylish and even the heels have some comfort built-in. While not super cheap (shoes usually run in the $80's) they do borrow some designer stylish details du jour. (However they're quality-made and a comfort brand, but that argument is irrelevant to this particular rant.)

Now Paris Hilton, on the other hand

... well she wears some cute shoes*, so I might have loved to support "her designs" - but she really has none. Just her own brand name on simpler, cheaper rip-offs.

But while Paris surely wears expensive designer shoes, her own line consists of neither. The 2nd issue is a problem.

Here she, or they -- her company or whatnot, have attempted to quench the public's thirst for Valentino's (and possibly Vivienne Westwood's) exaggerated bows with their high-reaching top loops. Of course nothing quite has the charm of those original Valentinos, n'est pas?

This doesn't mean it's a crime for you to buy these Paris pumps, or shoes like 'em. I just prefer to dream of the real thing. I'm an idealist like that.

Do you like this style of post? We want to feature it somewhat regularly, and you can help us. If you see some identity theft, send it to us via our contact form!

*Unfortunately, the comments to that article (and many others) were lost.

The Kardashians have introduced what is their 2nd collection for bebe, which is set to debut April 20th.

It's not that each item is individually really all that bad in the sluttiness department (or is it?), but I do see each item is meant to show off bods (whether curvy and thin or just thin) and I can picture Kim in each one. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I'm talking about reminiscing over early 90's Mariah Carey (oh wait she still wears that stuff) skin tight/tube-fitting dresses.

Seriously, who wears dresses like the worst offender, pictured? (See more of the collection at Nitrolicious.) What message does it send?

"I cost $50 an hour" as a cheap prostitute, message. Not even a high class escort, just a questionable street walker.

You've been warned ... now I know you'll do whatever you want, anyway.

P.S. The shoes, they do not help.

[caption id="attachment_2901" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Gisele in an Hervé Léger bandage dress, holding her Ipanema flip-flops"][/caption]

On Thursday, Gisele Bündchen introduced her eighth flip-flop collection with Brazil's largest footwear company, Grendene, titled "Ipanema".

She admitted that she doesn't really design the line at all, saying

“I am very inspired by nature and like to use that for my ideas, but actually designing them — no way. I would be a disaster.” WWD

You probably know what we think here at our lippy HQ, but

What have you got to say?

I have more questions than will fit in a poll, well namely 2:

• Do you think Gisele doesn't even deserve this line or do you think she is noble for her honesty?
• Do you think this happens with most celebrity lines, but it's just unspoken?

Photo from The Cut/NYM.

[caption id="attachment_2806" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="Joan Crawford re-touched by hand"][/caption]

• No touching, or retouching, the beautiful people. Much ado about nothing, when they don't even need it. From BK, who posted this haunting photo of Joan Crawford.
• Jewelry brand, Dogeared, is making jewelry and other products for the films Eat, Pray, Love and Sex and the City 2. From WWD. More news when there are photos.
• Lindsay Lohan's expending her 6126 line from just leggings to slightly beyond. From The Cut/NYM.
• Interview with emerging denim designer, Michelle Siwy. From The Cut/NYM.
• More ado about nothing: Last night Twitter seemed zombie-like possessed over Zoe Kravitz with a "tweet" conference at an ad campaign debut. (Or as far as we can tell.) Check it out on Twitter.

"Dream Out Loud" by Selena Gomez, to debut at KMart for back-to-school 2010, by some stroke of Wizardry is nice! Cute, feminine, and even a little bit unique in spots - I dig it.

[caption id="attachment_2773" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="My favorite looks from the preview"][/caption]

Perhaps I'm in a good mood, but I'm loving at least 4 of the pieces. And I may even buy one (or more?).

Selena says the collection reflects herself and is “the whole Texan cowgirl meets the glam Boho chic of Hollywood.”

But what I see is definitely more of the girly-girl trend happening, and with so much of it, of course I'm smitten.

Via Nitrolicious.

Twiggy debuted her new collection for Twiggy LONDON on HSN Saturday at 12 am Eastern time.

I had to scoot off to bed shortly after the program began but I did catch a great near-candid brief conversation on Twiggy's weight, with the former super model now being a bit older than most twigs.

I couldn't retain the exact quotes, but an HSN host told the once-infamous-twig how thin she still is.

Twiggy replied that she's *not really*, but she *dresses very cleverly*.

I, who haven't been a twig since a much younger 19, happily relate as I too dress cleverly - which takes work I want to note.

I think real life tales like this one of Twiggy's can be inspiration to feel better about ourselves as real women.

And also note fashion is not only for the slim. It's harder for the less slim but is even more rewarding when we make ourselves look fab!

Lady GaGa is finally going beyond just Haus of Gaga for her videos, she's beginning her inevitable crossover into commercial design.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Gaga in Haus of Gaga shades for Bad Romance"][/caption]

The Lady is reported (WWD, Sylecaster) to design one collection for the brand Linda Farrow, a British designer big in luxury eyewear which has made many acclaimed collaborations recently, including designing with Alexander Wang and others.

[caption id="attachment_2708" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="Linda Farrow's own "luxe" shade line"][/caption]

Websites are treating this news as a bit of a rumor, however WWD has itself reported it. The buzz broke last week while I was fighting a computer virus, and I cannot access wwd.com's take on the story anymore for proof of this new hype's credibility.

If only a rumor now, like I said fashion design, including shades to be sure, is no doubt not only inevitable but likely in Gaga's near future. She is the star partially known for huge somethings-anythings covering her eyes, while although her "fashion" is all-over crazy, eye "design" is one central element.

[caption id="attachment_2709" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Gaga's famous crystal shades"][/caption]

I'm still left wondering when everything will get rolling and then when we'll get to see the goods! One other important wonder is about price range. Linda Farrow's "luxe" shade line is priced between $400 and $800, while most celebrity brands are priced for masses and youth. We know Lady Gaga is more haute and design-oriented than the Olsens and the like, but whether general pop music fans can even save to put on a piece of Gaga couture remains a major question.

For now let's just refresh our memories and soak in the views of some glasses styles Gaga seems to love - which when mind-mixed with Gaga's and Farrow's designs, might help us imagine what looks this collaboration could produce.

And that is the biggest ponderment; whether we even anticipate liking or wanting to spend on it, any fashion or music fan will want to see what will likely be art in Gaga's eyewear.

Some photos from Daily Gaga / Fashion...

I was just a tad or almost late to receive word of this video ... ;-) And then my computer & I were both too under the weather to write. It's been a bad week, but the shopping is better!

It's different for an actress or musician to claim to be a designer than it is for a stylist to turn designer, so even though we all know Rachel Zoe best from fame and her relatively new reality show, she's A-OK or even better (than OK) as a fashion designer. A stylist getting a reality show, even if good, is a bit of an "ugh"-inducer, but that's another story (and I just don't like reality programming anyway).

(And now, shop your TV! - err, monitor.)

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To highlight that Zoe can design, I'm showcasing my favorite item from the video: I so want this necklace! In a word, unique; which is what "design" should be - or must be by definition, IMHO (in my haughty opinion).

I only wish it were reversible for a low-back dress.

Rachel Zoe at QVC is for sale now on QVC. See it on the "dot com".

[caption id="attachment_2027" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen with "Olsenboye""][/caption]

I watched Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen debut "their" new clothing line, Olsenboye, on Good Morning America yesterday, underwhelmed and over-annoyed. The young adult twin stars proudly, although it was inexplicable pride, described the pairings of pieces sounding much more like dressup players or perhaps even wardrobe stylists, which is to be kind, as instead of showing true design (which can not be faked) they didn't even try when announcing clothes with phrases something like "we paired that with..." and "blazers are great". Seriously. Seriously? What?! ... If a blazer is great, buy one. *scoff*

That is not design. They cannot force whole outfits on people to get a unique look - girls (only some and not masses of true collection fans vs. Olsen fans) would buy individual pieces and these singular items are just so regular. They fall into the category of this word I've sort of invented and now love to use: undesigned, or they are ... undesigns.

To boot, what makes blazers so great to so many - the flattering waist-giving shape - is absent in the depicted floaty jacket.

Oh and, of course, a graphic tee with a phrase (not even a great, funny or terribly unique phrase) in a few fonts obviously does not a design make. DUH!

Stick to being fashion plates, girls. You like fashion, you like trends, but you really just like dressing yourselves. If you want to dress others, call yourselves what you are apparently attempting to be - stylists. However that is kind of a career step down, for even Rachel Zoe is making it much bigger by starring in her own TV show.

Oy.

Watch the full video clip while it's available via Hulu, below.