Now it seems the brand has done it again with images featured in their newest catalog. The preppy looks are modeled by J. Crew’s own employees, including the one above titled, “Happy Together. Our Designer Somsack and his boyfriend, Micah.” The photo sparked even more controversy. ABC says the catalog includes “an explicit ad of a same-sex couple”, and titled the article, “J. Crew at Center of Gay Economics with Openly Gay Model.” Yes, we all know how raunchy button down shirts and ties are, or perhaps it’s that hot and heavy arm grab from a full arm’s length away that says “get a room!” Okay, we’re really not sure what’s explicit here.

J. Crew declined to comment on the issue, but it seems to us that the photo’s caption says it all. The bottom line is that painting a little boy’s toenails pink won’t make him gay, nor will looking at happy gay couples on the pages of a fashion catalogue. It is sad that people cannot tolerate the differences among us. {Refinery29}

Fortunately, in addition to Jenna Lyons being lucky enough to end up with a boy who shares a favorite color, she also ended up with a child who can seemingly see what’s really important. “He was just like, ‘Iâ€m on television! Iâ€m on television!†It was very cute. He was over the moon,” Lyons said. {WWD}

“I think breastfeeding really helped (me keep me figure). Some people here (in the US) think they don’t have to breastfeed, and I think ‘Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?’ I think there should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months.” {UKPA}

After criticism for insensitivity to other mothers, the supermodel took to her blog to post a “special message” saying that the comment was less about the law, and more about her “passion and beliefs about children.” She went on to add “Becoming a new mom has brought a lot of questions, I feel like I am in a constant search for answers on what might be the best for my child. Itâ€s unfortunate that in an interview sometimes things can seem so black and white. I am sure if I would just be sitting talking about my experiences with other mothers, we would just be sharing opinions. I understand that everyone has their own experience and opinions and I am not here to judge.”

Breastfeeding is always a contentious issue with fiercely held opinions on both sides: breast feeding advocates often argue that breast milk is better for children while moms who go with formula resent the notion that they’re somehow harming their children. Whichever view you may take, the supermodel acknowledges that while she’s definitely in the breast milk is best camp, she doesn’t think it means other moms aren’t trying to do their best for their children.

“I believe that bringing a life into this world is the single most important thing a person can undertake and it can also be the most challenging. I think as mothers we are all just trying our best.” {Gisele’s Blog}

Though that may sound odd, the slogan reads, “Cambia Style (Change Style): Don’t Follow Your Leader.” (“Ooooooohhhh!”) It has everyone up in arms, from everyday bloggers to the European politicians, who all find it offensive.

New Form

Let’s be honest, it was a bold move on New Form’s part. But instead of reacting without thinking, let’s play devil’s advocate for the campaign:

1) It’s clearly saying don’t follow your leader (aka Hitler) — not exactly signs of some sort of neo-Nazi boutique.  According to the HuffPost article, New Form used this ad to “ridicule Hitler and encourage youth to create their own style.” Maybe going against Hitler versus going against current fashion trends is a little much for an analogy, but that in part causes…
2) Controversy. And press coverage. Causing all this controversy has only brought worldwide attention to them — a tiny fashion boutique on an island off of Italy! The saying goes that any publicity is good publicity.

Fashion has always been about bold statements, and the message behind the campaign – while delivered with a healthy dose of shock value, is really just a push for individuality. Particularly with a generation who may not have the same historical context, should maniacal dictators of years past be off limits?

Beyond not being offended, younger buyers may see irony or humor in the ads, and perhaps even consider the featured figures to be a bit of a joke – especially if they’re made to look a bit silly.  Considering the goal of post was blind fear, loyalty and admiration, laughingstock is probably a label that does as much to knock holes in their ambitions than anything else. There’s nothing funny about the heinous actions of the Nazis, and we aren’t predicting Stalin, Mussolini or Pol Pot to be the faces of any major labels any time soon. But advertising that takes shots at their brutal and deadly regimes is probably not the worst way to look back on them.

Memorial director Uwe Neumarker explains that permission to use the location is granted “only to projects which are related to the memorial, the Holocaust or some aspect of commemoration” — guidelines which the fashion shoot failed to comply with.

EasyJet is currently reviewing its contract with Ink Publishing, the company responsible for the editorial.  Although we’re sure neither EasyJet nor Ink intended to offend, it reminds us how important it is to stay aware of how our actions may possibly affect others.

Read the full story {The Huffington Post}

Numerous complaints have been filed with the lingerie mega-giant for faulty garment construction that left everything from rashes and hives from (possibly) formaldehyde-tainted materials to poorly-secured (and projectile-like) metal hardware.

Victoria’s Secret, meanwhile, maintains that these injuries are a result of “misuse and/or abuse of the product” (how exactly does one “abuse” a bra?), and the company’s reluctance to address these numerous complaints in a more thorough manner makes us uneasy.  Sometimes beauty is pain, but this may be going too far.

Read the full story {Minyanville}