Nigo® continues his quest to make BAPE®, an acronym for A Bathing Ape®, an unmistakable brand. In addition to his myriad of stores in
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Lifestyle Architect Nigo Furthers Brand with BAPE KIDS Concept Store in Tokyo
How Contract Savvy Are You?
‘Contract’ is one of those words used so often in business that its fundamentals are taken for granted. Written, verbal or otherwise, contracts should not be entered into lightly to avoid breaching or committing to an onerous agreement. We all know the pitfalls of signing on the dotted line, but if you doubt the legitimacy of an oral agreement, ask Jerry Seinfeld who recently came under fire for failing to pay his real estate broker a commission of over $98,000. Seinfeld testified that since broker, Tamara Cohen, was unable to show him the property he eventually purchased, he was not obligated to pay her. The judge ruled in Cohen’s favor, stating that their sales contract was still in effect. (Read more at Law.com) No matter what side of the table you’re on, these tips will expedite your contract process. You’ve submitted your proposal, and your client liked what he saw—so, what’s next?
- Make sure that you and your client settle all modifications to your proposal to the best of your ability prior to developing the contract.
- Identify all parties involved in the negotiation and contract development phase.
- Develop your negotiation strategy and timeframe of contract development. Try to adhere to it.
- Define your negotiation catalyst. (It is best to start with contract terms and move on to fees and cost.)
- Be realistic about what you can and cannot deliver.
- Clearly define payment and cost parameters.
- Keep track of issues and contingencies that have the potential to develop into discrepancies.
- Be sure that your contract can be legally enforced.
- Schedule a formal review of the final contract.
Jacob the Jeweler Turns to Clients to Testify in Money Laundering Case
Jacob Arabov, most widely known by his moniker, Jacob the Jeweler, has asked his clients and friends to testify on his behalf during his federal money laundering trial. Arabov expects the likes of Mariah Carey, Sean Combs, and Jay-Z to take the stand to attest to his good standing with them and his ethical business practices, which are currently in question. Jacob the Jeweler has been charged with helping a ring of drug dealers, the Black Mafia Family (BMF), who operated under BMF Entertainment, launder over $270 million in illegal drug profits. $11 million in liquid and assets and 650 kilograms of cocaine were seized by the DEA.
Dress with a Cause: Designers For Darfur
Almost half a million people have died in
Jay’s New Hue
Jay-Z has lent his synergistic, brand-enhancing power to General Motors (GM). The two teamed up to release the Jay-Z Blue Yukon Denali SUV. The concept vehicle made its debut during the media previews for the North American Auto Show in
Friday, September 15, 2006
Understanding the Fabulous Quotient: Marketing to the Aspirational Woman of Color and Getting it Right
Impeccably coiffed and donning a pair of Louboutins, she exudes style. She’s confident, unapologetically sexy, and decidedly lives an indulgent lifestyle because she knows that she deserves it. And more importantly, she has earned it. Even though she is just as chic and well-groomed, do not confuse her with her well-heeled counterparts, as her fashion sense and lifestyle are an intricate blend of her innate style, firmly rooted in her culture with an haute twist. Just like youth culture today, she is an amalgamation of various cultural elements. She’s multi-faceted, and her style is indicative of that. She has Jay-Z, Green Day, and Nina Simone on her I-pod playlist with a mix of old school reggae tunes or perhaps some classic Tito or Celia that reminds her of abuelita’s house. She’s a Sex and The City devotee and TiVos Girlfriends when she’s working late. It’s her hip-hop-meets-glamour aesthetic that inspired Carrie’s bamboo hoop earrings and name-plate chain and a plethora of trends that mainstream fashion has embraced. She wears a sari with her Sass & Bide jeans and carries jade beads in her Fendi spy bag for good luck. In sum, she’s fabulous. She turns head and commands attention from everyone but those who stand to benefit from her the most: luxury brand marketers.
2. Know your audience. Although this seems pretty basic, many marketers fail to intimately get to know women of color. Authenticity is key as it pertains to visual and audio elements. You do not want to end up alienating your audience as a result of using exaggerated slang, drawls, or stereotypical images which will result in ineffective (and tasteless) caricatures.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Mally Roncal's Magic Touch
With a celebrity client list a mile long, Mally Roncal is one of the most sought-after makeup artists in the industry. She has perfected the faces of BeyoncĂ©, Jennifer Lopez, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Alicia Keys, Angelina Jolie and countless others. In true entrepreneurial fashion, Roncal has launched her own line of cosmetics, Mally Beauty, found in such department stores as Henri Bendel. Roncal also sells her products through QVC, which proved to be a great distribution strategy, as her line sold out completely during its debut, and since she’s able to perform demonstrations and take calls from viewers, she uses her “BFF” type charm to connect with consumers.
Surprisingly, this talented beauty of Filipina heritage did not start out in the beauty business; she initially was a pre-med student following in the footsteps of her parents―both of whom were in the medical field. Roncal always knew she had an interest in skincare and contemplated becoming a dermatologist. She ultimately ended up pursuing her passion and is steadily becoming one of the biggest names in cosmetics. The Mally Beauty collection features all-in-one packaged products for easy application in addition to must-have tools.
Salaries Increase for Top Law Firm Newbies
Baruch Adds Etiquette to Curriculum for Future Business Leaders
Getting ahead in business isn’t only about what you know or even who you know for that matter…it’s about knowing the difference between red and white wine glasses.
Young Designer Courtney Crawford Makes Major Strides with Sexy Shoes
Young shoe designer, Courtney Crawford has been tapped to lend his irrefutable talent to design the Spring 2007 shoe collection for Missoni, which makes it hard to believe that less than two years ago he convinced investors to take a chance on a young novice with big ideas. Crawford always had dreams of owning his own company. While still a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
BET Network Buys Out Bet.com Investors
With more than 3.6 million registered users and generating 2.6 million in total monthly unique visitors, BET.com is a hot online commodity. BET Networks (presently owned by Programming and entertainment company Viacom Inc.) announced that BET Interactive, its Internet operating unit, is buying out its original investment group consisting of Microsoft, News Corporation, Liberty Media and IAC/InterActive Corp and the former investors from 360HipHop.com, led by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. Financial terms were not disclosed. Read More MSN Money
Monday, August 28, 2006
Diamond-Studded GoldVish Crushes Nokia’s Vertu
GoldVish places at the top of the mobile phone food chain with the launch of its diamond-studded phone priced at $1.26 million. Less extravagant models start at almost $25,000. Emmanuel Gueit, who has designed jewelry for Harry Winston, designed this mobile phone made of solid gold and 120 carats of diamonds. Pushing on one of the precious stones reveals a hidden compartment. GoldVish anticipates capitalizing on 2% of the $134 billion global mobile device market upon its launch next month. Prior to the arrival of GoldVish, Vertu has been the most expensive phone with a price tag of roughly $20, 000.
Black Style Now Gala Jump Starts Fashion Week
Essence Magazine and the Museum of the City of New York will host a gala on September 8th, for the fashion exhibition, Black Style Now. Open to the public on September 9-February 19, the exhibition will explore black style and examine fashion influences through various garments, accessories, photos and videos from the likes of LL Cool J, Andre 3000, Lil' Kim, and other style icons. This mix of street style and high fashion is curated by author and historian, Michael Henry Adams and fashion designer and author, Michael McCollom. A series of events will intimately look at various aspects of black fashion.
Sunday, September 24-2:00 pm Black and Beautiful: Legendary African American Models
This program will include a special tribute to the late, great Dorothea Towles Church, the first international black supermodel.
Saturday, September 30-2:00-4:00 pm The Way We Wore: Black Style Then
A curator-led tour of Black Style Now focusing on black fashion history.
Saturday, October 14-3:00 pm Ladies First: Rap and Dance Demonstration and Discussion Black Girls Rock! DJ Beverly Bond, author, Mitzi Miller and others discuss with the audience images of black girls and women in mainstream hip-hop media in honor of VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week. Michaela Angela Davis moderates.
Wednesday, October 25-6:30 pm Bling
An animated discussion with jewelers Jules Kim and Gabriel Urist and Reggie Osse and Gabriel Tolliver, authors of Bling: The Hip Hop Jewelry Book, a flashy, fun, photographic display of jewelry in hip-hop fashion.
Black Style Now is funded by Time Warner Inc. Opening gala sponsors include Macy's, Sean John, Rocawear, Diet Pepsi Jazz, Akademiks, Sony, and VH1. For more information, visit MCNY.