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The high-heeled shoe, or a shoe whose heel is higher than the toe, is a matter of contentious and heated discussion. Shoes in general have typically served as markers of gender, class, race, and ethnicity--and both the foot and the shoe have been imbued with powerful phallic and fertility symbols as evidenced in the contemporary practice of tying shoes to a newlywed couple’s car. No other shoe, however, has gestured toward leisure, sexuality, and sophistication as much as the high-heeled shoe. Fraught with contradiction, heels paradoxically inhibit movement in order to increase it, at least in appearance. Standing in heels,...

The fashion police descended in droves on the Los Angeles Fashion District last week, confiscating $100 million (mostly in cash), seizing three homes and arresting nine people. The raids on some 75 businesses are related to “Black Market Peso Exchange” (BMPE) schemes to launder drug money controlled by international drug cartels.

All through the "I don't have a strategy" speech, it was also, "I have no sense of how to dress appropriately to the seriousness of my duty." Did anyone else notice that natty, cream-colored suit? It made me think of the tropics, of a vacation in Panama. Barack, the girl from Ipanema. I don't believe I have ever seen another president dressed in that manner, like a soot suit, or something from the seventies...

The overload of coverage over Barack Obama‘s tan suit has led to some unexpected consequences: Rep. Peter King (R-NY), called into The Steve Malzberg Show to rage about how “trivial” the summer suit was. Summer suits, according to Rep. King, are not appropriate garb for talking about terrorism or ISIS, and especially when the President says he doesn’t have a strategy to deal with the resurgence of terrorism. “For him to walk out — I’m not trying to be trivial here — in a light suit, light tan suit, saying that first he wants to talk about what most Americans...

President Barack Obama held a news conference Thursday to reveal important information regarding Russia financing and arming separatists in Ukraine, migrant children in the U.S. and his strategy for defeating the Islamic State in Syria, but all eyes seemed to focus on his suit. The president addressed the press in a pale, khaki-colored suit, and the Internet exploded. . The suit prompted a slew of headlines criticizing the president for his fashion decision.

New York, NY — Sagz Urban Wear, LLC, makers of urban influenced casual wear, have begun marketing their newest line of “sagging” jeans featuring new styles and colors. Subtle design changes will also add to their jeans’ appeal, say the teenage fashion designers behind the popular clothing line. “Young urban men continue to ‘sag’ their jeans fashionably low, and our jeans’ unique snap-on custom boxer shorts offer them worry-free mobility,” says company spokesperson George Harris. “Three different wearing levels allow for maximum personal expression, with the styling confidence and comfort we’re famous for.” But an increased “swag” factor is the...

As a transgender woman who began her transition about a year ago, Kylie Jack is still figuring out her fashion style, but she wanted one thing right away: well-fitting bras. Friends recommended Petticoat Fair in Austin, Texas, where she lives. The lingerie shop is known for one-on-one fittings, but Jack was denied access to the area where professionals work privately with customers after being asked if she was an anatomical female. […] A gender binary exists in fashion, and that’s a challenge for those who don’t conform. Masculine-presenting women are often destined for boys’ departments or bad fits, while people...

Love Culture Inc on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, becoming the latest women's apparel retailer to seek protection from creditors, and said it may be sold after having received interest from possible buyers. The company, which according to its website has 82 stores stretching from Massachusetts to Hawaii, joins Ashley Stewart Holdings Inc, Coldwater Creek Inc., Dots LLC and Loehmann's Inc among retailers to file for bankruptcy since late last year as consumers curb spending and visit malls less. In a court filing, the company's chief restructuring officer, Rick Bunka, said sales remain below projections, while vendors in April...

The Interior Ministry has launched a crackdown to combat the trend toward shrinking hemlines witnessed among Russia's female police officers, Izvestia reported Monday. The ministry imposed a ban against all uniform modifications in response to the growing number of shortened skirts worn by women, and the tendency of their male counterparts to hack off their shirt sleeves. In addition to modifications, police are now prohibited from mixing their uniforms with civilian clothing, and from wearing wrinkled items, Izvestia reported, citing a decree handed down by Deputy Interior Minister Sergei Gerasimov to all heads of departments. Gerasimov warned that such liberties...

Top labels that the US first lady wears would cost thousands of dollars a monthMichelle Obama’s fashionable clothing has become something of a given in her five-plus years as first lady. Yet her wardrobe still is the subject of endless public fascination and one long-simmering question: Who pays for those incredible outfits? It’s no small matter. Her high-low fashion choices mix everyday, off-the-rack fare with custom creations from top designers whose gowns can run into five figures.

Michelle Obama’s fashionable clothing has become something of a given in her five-plus years as first lady. Yet her wardrobe still is the subject of endless public fascination and one long-simmering question: Who pays for those incredible outfits? It’s no small matter. Her high-low fashion choices mix everyday, off-the-rack fare with custom creations from top designers whose gowns can run into five figures. SNIP It takes money to pull that off, month after month. Those three dresses by themselves could add up to more than $15,000 retail, not to mention accessories such as shoes and jewellery. Is it the taxpayers...

Schoolboys in France stirred up gender norms when they eschewed pants last week. But men in skirts shouldn’t be a provocative sight…it should be a choice as normal as women in pants. Last Friday, male students and teachers in Nantes, France launched a campaign to fight the sexism that is plaguing societies across the world through their clothing. The 'Ce que soulève la jupe' (or ‘Lift the Skirt’) movement encouraged boys across 27 of the northwest city’s schools to sport skirts to class instead of trousers. “We noticed that in a lot of high schools in our region, there are...

I was out earlier tonight and heard Mick Jagger over a store loudspeaker singing "Under My Thumb." Given the very tragic suicide of his lover of 13 years, fashion designer and stylist L'Wren Scott, who was buried earlier this week amid rumors that Mick's unfaithfulness was one contributory factor, I hope he never, ever performs that song again...

Fashion designer L'Wren Scott was found dead today in her Manhattan apartment of an apparent suicide, according to New York police. She was 47 years old. According to authorities, police were called to her Chelsea apartment at 10:05 a.m. and found her body. A medical examiner will determine the cause of death. Scott was a renowned stylist and fashion designer whose clothes have been worn by A-listers including Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and Penelope Cruz. In February, she announced that she had canceled her London Fashion Week show.

On February 27th, Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm was awarded the store closing process for all locations by the bankruptcy court. Store closing sales will begin on March 1st and will involve significant discounts on all merchandise, as well as store furniture, fixtures and equipment in order to wind down company operations. “Our employees continue to do a tremendous job maintaining high quality standards and they are dedicated to fully serving our customers during this transition,” David Minnix, president of Dots, said. “We appreciate the continued support of our valued customers over the years and...

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a man known for wrestling bears while President Barack Obama is known for wearing mom jeans. “People are looking at Putin as one who wrestles bears and drills for oil,” Palin said to Fox News’s Sean Hannity on Monday night. “They look at our president as one who wears mom jeans and equivocates and bloviates.”

2012 was a swing an a miss...this time around it was a swing, miss, and then the freakin' bat slipped out of the designers hands...It's the Olympics, not an ugly Christmas sweater contest.

Gucci just announced the appointment of Bruce Springsteen's daughter, nationally ranked equestrian Jessica Springsteen, as Gucci Equestrian Ambassador. You've definitely heard of that title before and connected those words before in your brain, because it's a real title and a useful epithet that means a tangible thing in this system of language that humans developed over a period of time on Earth. Springsteen is an accomplished horsewoman. She also wore Björk-style swan attire to the 2013 Gucci Paris Masters. Gucci's creative director, Frida Giannini, promised in a statement that she has "ensured that the design of this new wardrobe provides...

Okay, I need to know this BEFORE I give my husband his tablet for...all the gifts for the next year. Purchased a tablet for him because he will be spending time with his dad who is in a care center/home bound about an hour from our house. Only internet access for him will be at the care center and husband needs something to bide his time. How does a guy transport a tablet from place to place? I have a purse, obviously transport is NOT an issue. What sort of bag, luggage, case, does a guy use and not look...

In early 2013, Objet partnered with fashion designer Iris Van Herpen to create the first 3D printed dress. It was certainly a perfect fit for the world of high fashion where functionality means nothing and art is everything. For those who want 3D printed clothing that’s not an art statement, your day may come in 2014. Fast Company reports that entrepreneur Aaron Rowley has a new startup called Electroloom. The new company is working on a 3D printer that creates functional, wearable clothing. So far, they’ve been able to print sheets out of polymer fabric. By the end of the...