For the aspiring designers that are running into design-block (the equivalent of writer’s block, get it?) This Duke University research may actually help on your way. Already known for the bastion of all that is cool and hip, Apple is now the muse of all the creative types. Simply looking at the logo breeds thoughts of creativity according to the Duke University study. Here’s a bit of the findings from the research:

The team conducted an experiment in which 341 university students completed what they believed was a visual acuity task, during which either the Apple or IBM logo was flashed so quickly that they were unaware they had been exposed to the brand logo. The participants then completed a task designed to evaluate how creative they were, listing all of the uses for a brick that they could imagine beyond building a wall.

People who were exposed to the Apple logo generated significantly more unusual uses for the brick compared with those who were primed with the IBM logo, the researchers said. In addition, the unusual uses the Apple-primed participants generated were rated as more creative by independent judges.

via Gawker

I read an article in the China Daily this morning that looked at the growing issue of back problems in fashion due to the oversized handbags in use by trendsetters. The inset photo in the article is of Katie Holmes carrying this humongous bag that looks as if it weighs more than she does. I started to think, maybe they’re on to something. To which a friend of mine who abhors this whole fashion thing said wryly, “you think?” Her rationale was that these bags are huge for no reason at all, no one has that much stuff to carry especially not a “fashionista” (God, I hate that word). Truth be told, an inner voice silently agreed with her. It’s nothing new that women at times go through great pains to wear something beautiful. The laundry list goes from 5 inch heels that pinch toes, cause migraines and corns to dresses that take a whole lot of work to fit into.

Which leads to the never ending question: is it worth it? Yes. Sometimes. The answer is a bit of a cop out, but for a special occasion wearing a dress that you know will take an hour to get into but will make you look wonderful is a guilty pleasure that requires a pound of flesh. The same applies to shoes. It can be a painstaking endeavor to wear a pair that is so narrow it causes red marks along the top of your feet, but it looks sooooo sleek. The jury is out on the handbags, as personally I’ve never been a fan, but I can attest to one thing: I would suffer in a heartbeat for a Hermes bag, if only for one night.

The China Daily story can be found here.

So I’ll be the first to admit that I admire Jenna Jameson’s business acumen. She started in a male dominated industry, turned that same industry on its ear and ended up being a top executive in the industry. Now during Los Angeles fashion week and we assume beyond, Jameson, who no longer performs in said movies, is a part of PETA.org’s with the subheading Discover the Pleasure of Pleather. (see photo below)

Whether this takes off or not is anyone’s guess, but it’s safe to assume that with this happening at Los Angeles fashion week, the industry may take notice even if it’s just a raised eyebrow.

When I read this news, the thrifty hobgoblin in me nearly fainted. What will I do for my Target fix now? Oh I know, revel in the fact that Jonathan Saunders may be the next GO designer.

This news is going to ripple through the fashion industry like you’ve never seen before.

From the article:

Chewing too much sugar-free gum containing the artificial sweetener sorbitol can cause diarrhea leading to potentially dangerous weight loss, German physicians report.