BARB JUNGR HITS NEW YORK

BARB JUNGR & JASON JOBSON British cabaret singing sensation Barb Jungr hit NYC last month for a sold out block of shows at The Metropolitan Room.  Jungr has a cult following among the cabaret / jazz crowds all over the world.   Just looking around the room the night I was there confirmed what a diverse fan base she draws.   Apparently, she is huge in Japan - at least the two long tables of Japanese tourists make me think so!   Add to that the critical acclaim from both sides of the Atlantic and it's pretty clear that Barb Jungr is here to stay.   Read more about this talented chanteuse and her latest album.   click BARB JUNGR

FISCHBACH IN CHELSEA

ALICE DALTON BROWN - MOONDROPSThe art world is a fickle industry.    The value of some paintings can fluctuate like the stock market.  Recent months have seen the modern market hit historic highs.   There is one gallery in Chelsea that has been able to navigate this most complicated industry for more than 50 years!   The Fischbach Gallery on 26th & 11th Avenue is a rare bird in this world of peacocks.   The gallery nurtures and helps develop artists not only from a creative standpoint but also from a commercial point of view.   The gallery is a favorite of serious collectors and celebrities, but you would never know that by the friendly and polite attitude at the gallery.  Read more about the current show - click - FISCHBACH.

KARIM RASHID & OMNI + COLLABORATION

KARIM & IVANA AT TWO JAKESOmnimount and Karim Rashid have  teamed up for the launch of the companies new furniture line - Omni+.   Rashid contributed several designs along with the in-house design team at OMNI+ PRISM BY KARIM RASHID - $499.95Omni to create these modern, clutter cutting pieces.  The New York launch took place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at the ultra trendy mid-century minded - two jakes.    Read more about the collection and the party - click OMNI+.

DEVIL RUNS PRADA IN JAPAN

MERYL STREEP & ANNE HATHAWAY IN DWPIn the movie "The Devil Wears Prada",  Meryl Streep famously portrayed a character based on fashion's most infamous Editor In Chief - Anna Wintour of Vogue.   The name said it all in characterizing the icy, cold demeanor of the so - called fashion bully.  

It seems that in real life in Japan, Prada is run by it's own fashion bully.   Last week it was reported that Prada Japan CEO -Davide Sesia is accused of allegedly demanding the firing of boutique managers that were " Old, Fat, and Ugly".    

Senior Retail Manager, Rina Bovrisse, who oversaw over 500 employees in 40 boutiques in Japan was allegedly told to make the staff cuts based on Cesia's rantings.   Bovrisse alleges that she was also pressured to encourage employees to purchase merchandise with their own money to boost sales.   When Bovrisse resisted, Cesia's criticism turned on her.   Eventually, Ms. Bovrisse was told to cut "cut her hair, and lose weight".   Cesia allegedly told her that "he was embarrassed by her ugliness and didn't want corporate visitors from Italy to see her".   RINA BOVRISSE

When Ms. Bovrisse complained to the parent company in Milan, she was put on involuntary leave and eventually fired for what the company called "false allegations".

Ms. Bovrisse has worked in the designer fashion industry for over 18 years.    I myself worked with Rina at Chanel in the U.S.   On the contrary to what Cesia allegedly called Rina, she is beautiful, and always impeccably dressed.   The photo of Ms. Bovrisse from her facebook profile says it all.  Furthermore, professionally she is a huge asset.   Bovrisse only left Chanel when she moved back to Japan, where she was born and raised.  Prada put her through an extensive interview process before she took the position.  

While fashion companies often have a difficult time in bridging the gap between a designer ideal of staff and clients versus the reality of talent availability and customer profiles, these accusations are outrageous.   To be fair, Prada has never had a good reputation as a pleasant place to work.   But even for the notorious company, this is off the charts.   

Maybe a movie sequel will be inspired by this mess :  The Devil Wears Prada Part Due - Trouble in Prada-dise!

Click STOP PRADA DISCRIMINATING to join Ms. Bovrisse' fan page on facebook.   There is an impending lawsuit and Rina needs all the support she can get.    Also, it is a great way to send a message to corporations that they cannot abuse their staff, during a recession or an economic boom time.   Prada's only statement has been that it has no comment.