Michael Jordan Sues Chinese Brand for Use of Jordan Name



Michael Jordan Covers February 2011 Special Issue of GQ Magazine

 Using Michael Jordan's name and number to sell non-Nike products is also known as simply "Fake Jordans."  We know this.  Nothing new.  However, there hasn't been a case where using his name unofficially has made the amounts of money that the Chinese brand, Quiodan, has made over the last few years.  Quiodan, which is Jordan's namesake in China, is a sports brand who based their brand around Jordan's name and retired number 23.  In a statement, Jordan, who is suing the Chinese brand, expressed "it is deeply disappointing to see a company build a business off my Chinese name without my permission, use the number 23 and even attempt to use the names of my children."

The amount requested in the lawsuit isn't disclosed, but we can bet that the settlement will cover a myriad of retros and other Jordan branded material.  I wonder if they break store windows and murder for "Quiodans" like we do here in the states?  Maybe Quidan sponsors the shoe posts that spam our Facebook pages..

Madonna in Givenchy and Philip Treacy for Superbowl Halftime Show

Madonna headlines the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show, and proved that she is indeed one of the true entertainers of our viewing generation. Not since the Prince performance in 2007 has a halftime show been as exciting and electrifying as Madonna's.  Featuring LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., and the sequins-robe-donned Cee-Lo, Madonna performed some of her biggest hits, to include Vogue, Music, and Like a Prayer. If you're wondering who Madonna was wearing throughout the performance, she brought fashion to the Superbowl in Givenchy, along with that dramatic gold headpiece by Philip Treacy.  Below are photos from her performance, giving you a closer detailed looks from Madonna's halftime performance.

Photos: Getty

Fratelli Rossetti for Superbowl XLVI

Madonna will not be the only one bringing sports and fashion together; this brown perforated oxford is a must-have for anyone; whether fans of fashion, football, or both! This is one of the items the NBC Sports Commentators will be wearing for the NFL Superbowl XLVI, which is airing this Sunday.  The shoes will be provided by Italian luxury footwear brand Fratelli Rossetti; and were hand chosen by NBC Sports stylist Amy Action, who said that the footwear "gives new meaning to the term power dressing."

Honoring Joe Frazier Through Fashion

After battling cancer, boxing legend "Smokin" Joe Frazier dies today at the age of 67 in a Philadelphia hospice.  Frazier, Olympian, heavyweight champion and hall-of-famer, was a powerhouse in the 60's and 70's most famous for his bouts with Muhammad Ali, being the first to defeat the Ali in 1971.

In his later days, Frazier became known for his hats; always wearing the wide brimmed accessory that became his statement piece.  The Ave honors his life with looks from the Spring 2012 season, embracing the accessory for the modern man.

Photos (clockwise l to r) SS12 Anne Demeulemeester, Woolrich Woolen Mills, Yohji Yamamoto, Yohji Yamamoto

Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic in Fuschia: Who Wins This Match?

photos: Getty Images


Serena Williams defeats Ana Ivanovic in straight sets in today's US Open Round of sixteen, but who wins in the battle of the Fuschia tennis dress? Williams, in Nike, matched the color with black trim and pleating within the skirt, while Ivanovic took a more sporty Adidas approach with the addition of a light pink trim. Who wore it best?

NBA Draft 2011 Simple Fashion and Kemba Walker's Pink Shoes

Unlike previous NBA Drafts where 8-button suits and crazy plaid jackets ruled the top picks, this year's class rook a classic approach with basic suits that presented a more mature, style-conscious bunch of NBA prospects.  The only story that can come out of the draft - aside from the actual talent of the players - are the pink saddle shoes worn by Top Ten Pick Kemba Walker.  Many blogs praise the #9 Draft Pick for wearing Pink shoes at a NBA draft, and I agree with one important condition; consider this a QTip:

While Walker does a great job - as most of the draftees - with wearing pants with a less than 20 inch opening for once, there is a problem with the break of the pant at the bottom with the shoe.  The colors actually clash because of the way his pants meet his shoes.  For instance, most men who mix and match colors know that there has to be some type of detail that helps marry the two (or three, or seven) colors together.  If Walker had a better cuff and, dare I say, show some ankle or a pair of colored socks (purple would definitely work here just to be daring), it would have made the look effortless.  Being as tall as Walker is, its not easy or sartorial to pull off the "sockless Monday" look, with a higher hemmed pant, but for true execution of the look, it is a requirement.  "A" for effort though -  at least he took a chance and got the attention of every spectator!

Kobe Bryant Fined for Anti-Gay Slur

Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for the anti-gay slur he used against an official in a recent game.  Bryant, known to be passionate and arrogant on the court, owned up to his mistake and said he didn't mean any malice.  But of course he didnt!  There is no way Kobe could be hateful towards gay people, with a photo spread like this....

Amar'e Stoudemire Collaborates with Rachel Roy

 

Amar'e Stoudemire has a new team already, and it involves a beautiful, fashion-forward coach.  The New York Knick, who has been seen around the fashion world with Anna Wintour is taking a step forward with lending his creativity to designer Rachel Roy.  Page Six reports that Stoudemire and Roy were at The Lion in Wast Village, and are in talks of collaborating for Roy's Macy's brand - Rachel Rachel Roy.  The line will be launched in Fall 2011, and I think that it will be a hit for the brand, and for his portfolio.  It will be interesting to see how his aesthetic translates in women's fashion.  He dresses well, but its sort of the nerd glasses-mixed pattern-tall but not sloppy type style; this is exciting however because it will be out of the ordinary and proves that you don't have to be a hockey player/intern to combine sports and fashion.  With ties to Anna Wintour and Amber Rose, it looks like we have yet another Kanye in the making... that's not totally a bad thing.  Perhaps we'll see Michelle Obama wearing a Stoudemire original to a future State Dinner.

Shaka Smart Leads VCU to Final Four in Canali



photo courtesy of Getty Images

 You may have never heard of the thirty three year old coach (or VCU) before this tournament, but rest assured this team who has upset the favorites in the tournament, and their young, intelligent coach will be in the minds of March Madness enthusiasts everywhere for years to come.  And since he is going to be a big name from now on, why not do it in style?  Shaka Smart has been keeping his suit game just as intense as the basketball game throughout the tournament; from wearing Ermenegildo Zenga against Florida State, to his dapper Canali attire against Kansas on Sunday afternoon, Smart lives up to his last name in sports and style!  Shout out to one of my hometown gems, Beecroft and Bull, for keeping Shaka Smart stylish for March Madness!

Dress Up the Draft - Top 3 Best Dressed of the 2010 NBA Draft

For the past ten years, the NBA Draft has been one big Pimp Suit fest. Flashy pinstripes and coloruful tie/pocket square combos ruled the night, making the NBA team cap the best piece of fashion on the screen. One reason may have been because of the height and disporportion of the players make it difficult to find suits that have the perfect fit. The more logical reason is because the players actually thought that this look was cool . This season, however, the players have gotten smarter in their choices for suits, opting for calmer patterns and simpler lapel shapes. Here is my Top 3 of the Draft's Top Ten Picks

Paul George, Indiana Pacers #10 - Simple Summer look; khaki suit, light blue shirt, and a small pin dot tie and tie clip. Just enough shirt cuff showing under his jacket.

Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves #4 - This is a current way of being different, yet in the traditional sense. This is a basic Ralph Lauren look, but it's not what you would expect to see on a NBA Draft Pick. From full length, I think the pants could have had a better fit, but otherwise, this was a great look!

Al-Farouq Aminu, LA Clippers #8 - Aside from the nerd glasses, this was my favorite look! This was the typical three-piece suit that we normally see on Draft Day, but this was a modern take. The black piping along the pocket was the perfect accent for his look.

Kobe Bryant - Is That You? LA Times Article/ Photo Shoot

OK I really didn't want to believe these photos - but they have been confirmed..

When many of us think of Kobe Bryant, we think of a few things, and they all pertain to basketball. Whether you think he will have the same legacy as Jordan, or if you find him to be arrogant and lucky, your thoughts are always basketball-based. I don't think many of you would find him to be a model muse, and these photos from LA Times won't help either!

The spread is for a LA Times article spread called "White Hot" which portrays Kobe in a very vulnerable, yet extremely awkward way. Some don't even look like him! This is why I first thought these were doctored pics, but thats what an all white outfit, background and photoshop can do..

I'm interested in your comments! What does Kobe look like to you? A curious cowboy? A dainty desert eagle? LOL, you decide!

To read the article, which was conducted during Kobe Bryant's manicure and makeup session for the photo shoot (seriously), check out LA Times here.

Ink, not Mink: Gilbert Arenas for PETA

What do Michael Vick and Gilbert Arenas have in common? Trouble, Suspension and PETA! Though PETA was not a fan of Vick, Gilbert Arenas, the star Washington Wizard who was just suspended from the NBA indefinitely for gun possession, has offered his support (and tatted up chest) to the organization. Maybe this will help with his image..

This supports my issue with PETA's ad featuring Michelle Obama.. Look how clever the Arenas ad is.. Shame on you PETA! I still think the PETA org is pretty cool though...

Tiger Woods on Cover of Vanity Fair

Though you haven't seen him since his November scandal, Tiger Woods will grace the cover of the February 2010 issue of Vanity Fair Magazine. Shot by Anne Leibovitz, the cover shows a shirtless Woods (I'm glad thats all that is shown...) and features a spread and article of the golf star. The shoot and interviews were all done well before the scandal surfaced, so don't expect to see anything in the article regarding his post scandal life. I'm relieved that Vanity Fair has the cleared shots by Leibovitz, and not from one of those mistresses.. who knows what other articles of clothing would be missing from the shoots...

Red Carpet Review: 2009 ESPYs

The 2009 ESPY Awards were aired today on ESPN with Samuel L. Jackson as host. I normally don't associate too many athletes with fashion, for a number of reasons; the main reason is that most muscular bodies aren't that easy to style. With that said, I didn't have many athletes to choose from for my best dressed, and I could basically name the whole Red Carpet under my "Not-So-Sure" Category.

One person who really stood out was Carmelo Anthony. His play of colors was phenomenal on the Red Carpet! The light mint green jacket with the brown tie and pocketsquare (that did Not match, by the way) was paired perfectly with cream slacks.

Serena Williams also tried the pastel look tonight, but it didn't quite work for her. Because of her build, Serena should stay away from wearing dresses with bustiers. Since bustiers are narrow at the waist, it broadens the chest, and that is an area that she should not want to be enhanced. Furthermore, the fit was not appealing around her underarm area..

Venus looked good on the red carpet. Keeping it printed and flowy.. perfect for the summer and just the right amount of chic for an awards show like the ESPYS.

Debbie Phelps is New Face for Chicos

My favorite person from the Beijing Olympics, and mother of the biggest athlete from the games, Debbie Phelps, has signed a deal with women's clothier Chico's. When I look at her, "Chico's" definitely comes to mind, because that's the generation that market. This should be a good move for Chico's, since they had such a loss in profits due to their attempt to target a younger audience.

It's amazing that because of being the mother of an athlete, you get large endorsements. This goes back to the days of O.J. Simpson's mother, and the soup commercials of Donovan McNabb's mother.

The line is already available at Chico's and the Orange jacket pictured is almost $400! I know you can find outfits like this in the thrift store for $37.

Maybe with this new deal, she can help her son with his fashion sense...

Michael Phelps Goes from Gold to Vogue?

Michael Phelps just came from winning eight Gold medals in the Beijing Olympic games, and now the fashion world wants him! Anna (or Ann if you are in Public Relations for the Obama Campaign) Wintour got her Vogue fashion hands on the swimming phenom recently. I really hope that this wasn't an official runway show, as I hope Michael Phelps didn't go to a show with shorts and a plain Tee. The Tee isn't even V-Neck!! Oh well, who has time for fashion when all you wear is water for a living. Wait a minute.. that is not an excuse! Even people without money and medals know that you dress appropriately for any occasion!

No gold, silver, bronze, or world record for best dressed! Look at Wintour's face.. its as if she doesn't know whether to be honored to be near the champion, or disgusted that he came to a fashion show in a trucker cap! I hope he isn't wearing Crocs...

Wimbledon Fashion: Tennis Makes a Statement

Besides seeing the best Men's final I have ever seen in my life, as well as watching an interview with Serena Williams when she was extra salty that she lost to Venus, This Wimbledon season was flooded with more than rain this year... Fashion flooded the courts as these four athletes showed that they can do more than wear a white polo and shorts. All of these outfits were designed by Nike, except for Venus's outfit, which is her own line called EleVen, which will hit stores soon.

The white trench though?? Ridiculous! I love how fashion and sports are fusing together!

Tiger Wins the US Open!!

Tiger may be number 2 on the Forbes Most Powerful List of 2008, but he came out #1 despite his knee injury. His comeback to defeat 42, year old Rocco Mediate shows that tiger is on his way to being the best of all time, all at the young age of 32!

Wait... I just thought of something... Tiger is Black and 32... Rocco is White and 42.. Sooo a younger Black man came from behind and defeated an older White man.. Reminds me of yet another Competition.. Obama vs. McCain... The Young Black will win!!