Designer knockoffs are nothing new. Famously, Forever 21 is actually best known for their propensity for copying clothing designs, making cheaper versions, and selling them in their stores. To my amazement however, just a few days after buying a dress and a shirt from Urban Outfitters, I spot the exact copy, albeit both cheaper in price and quality, at TJ Maxx.

Below is a photo of the pink Sparkle & Fade sleeveless chiffon shirt I purchased from Urban Outfitters, and underneath it, the green Myth sleeveless shirt I spotted at TJ Maxx. Both are cut in a relaxed, swingy silhouette with a high/low hem, buttons down the front, and a pointed collar. The only differences are the colors and the price point. Urban Outfitters still has the product for sale online, found here: Sparkle & Fade Sleeveless Chiffon Shirt.



Below is a photo of the orange Coincidence & Chance lace revel dress I purchased from Urban Outfitters, and underneath it, the ivory Monteau lace dress I spotted at TJ Maxx. Both are cut with a fitted bodice and full skirt, with sheer mesh accents at the shoulders, a chiffon lining, and a back zipper closure. The only differences are the colors and the price point. And, after checking Urban Outfitters online, they still have the produce for sale, even available in the same ivory color, found here: Coincidence & Chance Revel Dress.



Now, I might be guilty of a little purchasing of designer knockoffs, mostly jewelry and purses from downtown (please do not tell Karl!) but I am totally against this blatant copyright infringement. It might stem from the attorney in me, and it might just be that I like to encourage innovation. Designer brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton have a very recognizable symbol and status. The prestige of the company grows when more and more people can recognize their trademark symbols, such as the signature interlocking double-C for Chanel or the LV monogram for Louis Vuitton. Knockoffs of those trademarks then, do not diminish the actual product. In fact, some might argue that it makes the purchasing of the real items that much more illustrious. On the other hand, brands at Urban Outfitters, such as Sparkle & Fade or Coincidence & Chance, have no recognizable trademarks or known logos. They are simply designing the trends of the moment. For other smaller brands to knock them off just shows a lack of originality and creativity, and it diminishes the clothing lines at Urban Outfitters.

Now, there is nothing I can do about this, per se, but I hope that all of you fashionistas and trendologists take a moment on your next expeditions to the mall and make sure that you are not purposely purchasing a stolen idea -- its all about conscientious shopping :)

A couple weeks ago, I went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and stumbled upon an installation of photographs by Shadi Ghadirian, an Iranian artist who recreated looks from the Qajar dynasty in Persia. She dressed her models in vintage clothes, but also added modern elements to the traditional scenes, juxtaposing the past with the present. Here are a few pictures I took of the photographs. If you are in Los Angeles, be sure to check it out soon -- the installation concludes in about a month!

I have been too busy to resume with my ballet classes, but am feeling inspired after seeing these Arsenal players give it a try! I might just pop into the studio sooner rather than later ...

Happy Naw Ruz from Tehrangeles!

In anticipation for tonight's "Shahs of Sunset" premiere on Bravo, here are a few photos of a real Shah and his beautiful wife, Farah Pahlavi.

My job right now involves flying to random states, and staying in cities most of the population has never even heard of. To add to the list, I recently went to Butte, Montana. Population: 34,000. While the population is roughly the same size of Calabasas, the difference is that Butte is spread over almost 1,000 square miles, while Calabasas is spread over about 13! So, it was interesting, to say the least. Below are just a few snaps of the happenings in Butte (or lack thereof).

Karl Lagerfeld for Metro! Karl has the ability to make anything relevant again, even the newspaper :) I really liked his recent comments in the Metro: "I do what I want because I have fun, you know. I don't want to be the designer who designs one look that you're known for, for the rest of your life, and then he disappears and he dies ... I like the continuity to play with fashion. I have no problem, no reason. I do Chanel, which is the French version of me. And Fendi is my Italian version ..." Oh, Karl, you are a true renaissance man, trying your hand at everything.

Once a year I watch professional football: for the Super Bowl. This year was no exception, and I loved it all, from the Volkswagen commercial to Clint Eastwood's somber but positive messages, Madonna's classic bright performance to M.I.A. flipping off the cameras, the touchdowns to the dramatic end. Most of all, I appreciated Gisele's encouragement of Tom. The email she sent to her friends and family asking them to pray for Tom and her embrace of him after the game (while wearing a Rick Owens leather jacket and Chanel purse!) really showed her genuine support and love. Anyways, just being at the Super Bowl automatically makes you a winner; all the players, coaches, and those associated with the teams should be mighty proud of themselves. Go Teams! Go Gisele! Go World Peace!

I was in Mobile, Alabama earlier this week for a short work trip and now I have the song “Sweet Home Alabama” stuck in my head. I did not dare sing it out loud in Alabama, as it was my first time in the state, aside from driving through twice (once in 2005 where my father and I stopped at a Subway and could not understand anyone’s accent and ended up ordering sandwiches we didn’t even want; and another time in 2007 where my brother and I were stopped by the highway patrol for a speeding ticket, which I eventually forgot about and ended up getting a warrant issued for my arrest, resolved with a hefty fine and cries of worry from my mother), and, of course, I did not want someone to hear me and actually think that I would consider Alabama “home”.

Home is Los Angeles, I reminded myself as I sat in a Southern podunk eatery and sipped my unsweetened sweet tea, thinking of what was happening at home. Imagining the city, and inhabitants thereof, you can figure there is probably traffic crawling on the 405 and the 101 the 10 and PCH, and even the 110 and 134 and 118 and the 5, and anywhere that anyone can bring wheels. On the corner of Camden Drive and Little Santa Monica there is a line at Sprinkles as people are ordering the Blake Lively-inspired cupcakes, while at Literati Café on Wilshire and Santa Monica law students are hunched over their laptops, listening to the latest indie band due to perform at Coachella from the speakers overhead. Medical students wake up from their naps and get ready for the night shift at Cedars Sinai, Harbor and Olive View. Hipsters are walking on Silverlake and Franklin while texting their Intelligentsia order, and industry heads in Century City are driving in their German cars while talking on their cell phones about the weekend box office grosses. Real estate agents are showing homes in Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills and Cheviot Hills, wearing their sunglasses even though the sun has set. Cabo Cantina and Busby’s start filling up for happy hour with UCLA and USC fraternity and sorority kids, and moviegoers begin picking out their seats before the films begin at the Arclight and the Grove. People are jogging in the Palisades and putting on their light knit-sweaters in Santa Monica and catching the surf in Malibu. The alley in downtown is almost deserted, Mexicans push away their carts of chili powder-sprinkled fruit, Koreans roll up their fabrics in the fashion district, and Persians put away their display items in the jewelry district. Kitson is closing on Robertson so the tourists gaze at the menu in front of Newsroom and Kitson is closing on Melrose so the models take a seat at Urth Café and both Kitson and Kitson Kids are closing at Santa Monica Place so the teenagers walk to Third Street Promenade. On San Vicente in Brentwood you can order late afternoon lattes from Coral Tree or Coffee Bean or Starbucks and then walk over to Pinkberry or Yogurtland or Menchie’s for low-fat, high-sugar dessert. The Lakers are playing a home game at the Staples Center, a hip singer-songwriter is performing at the Nokia Theatre, and those not inside the venues stand around L.A. Live and watch it broadcast on the giant screens. Sushi chefs chop vegetables at Katsuya, hot grills sizzle with kabob in Westwood, yoga mats are rolled out in Venice and weights are lifted at Equinox. Lights are turned on along Sunset in Hollywood while the cars go up and down through the canyons, Laurel and Coldwater, turning on Mulholland and Ventura, arriving in the Valley, into the strip malls and the suburbs. All the while, dreams continue to grow, hope stays alive, and the city of Angels shines bright. And in my version of the song, I changed the lyrics to "Sweet Home California" ;)

It is January. And although the weather in Los Angeles is a steady 74ish degrees, I can not help but feel the Winter attitude ... there is lull in activity and downshift in movement. We need that regeneration of the Spring to lift us back up! Here are a few romantic black and whites to shake us up!

Hello faithful bloggees! I have completely fallen off the mark and missed updating the past couple months. A very belated Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. 2011 provided me with the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows, and I am thankful and appreciative for it all. A half dozen photos below summarize some of the moments which I did not blog about previously. I am going to try really hard this year to live each day as if it is my last ... because if the Mayans are right, 2012 really might be the last ;)

Hello, fellow bloggers and stalkers. I am back from my 12-day excursion to Chicago and the Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia Metropolitan Area. Thank you to my many hosts, friends, family ... It was definitely an eventful trip :) In Chicago, while my brother was saving lives as a medical resident and my friends were at work, I was left to roam the city and traverse the El. After attending the North American Bahá’í Conference on Law at the John Marshall Law School, I was able to do fun, personal things by myself that one does not usually get to do during the span of our busy and hectic lives, such as shopping at Topshop, getting my hair blown out at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon and visiting the Art Institue of Chicago. It was a a few days of being able to reflect on my own self while experiencing the many different and diverse Chi-town neighborhoods. Here are a few photos from my trusty blackberry (iphone who?) showing my love for vibrant Chi-city.

I just came back from Miami and am now on my way to Chicago and Washington, DC. All these trips are exciting - visiting friends and places I do not normally get to see. It does feel like I am trying to escape Los Angeles ... Nevertheless, Miami was a dream. Gorgeous people, gorgeous building, gorgeous beaches, and a gorgeous atmosphere. My highlights were staying in the Viceroy, eating at Meat Market, partying all over South Beach, viewing the unique art deco, and even biking from Lincoln Road to the Port. No wonder everyone wants to bienvenido a Miami ;) I absolutely cannot wait to go back!