http://articles.styleandentertainment.com/rss.xml A blog about styleandentertainment.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.styleandentertainment.com/?a=36076 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Looks like the war is on between some well known businesses and the manufacturers of knock offs. Zippo Manufacturing Company plans to lay off about 15% of their work force and they blame part of the cause on the knock offs of their lighters. In Pittsburgh where Zippo Manufacturing is located, there will be a few more on unemployment soon. Zippo has filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission to stop the manufacturing and sale of knock offs. Many of the knock offs are coming from China so Zippo has named four Chinese companies. <br /><br />Because of the knock offs, Zippo has lost 30% of their business, which in turn has caused part of the reasons for the layoffs. Zippo says if their business picks back up substantially, they can hire back some of those they laid off. The layoffs were something they regretted having to do, but they claim it was the only option they had.<br /><br />A few weeks ago was fashion week in New York and the designers are very upset by all of their designs being manufactured by clothing companies around the world and sold at cheap rates to everyone wanting them. These knock offs are causing quite a stir within the designer world and they have decided to fight back. Designers like Zac Posen and Diane von Fursternburg have teamed up together along with the Council of Fashion Designers of America to get copyrights to their fashions. <br /><br />For those who cannot afford the big expensive fashions, the knock offs have been a way for them to get garments, which look like the latest fashions but at a very cheap price. The designers are also working with Congressman Bob Goodlatte to get legislation started, which would give the designers protection rights on their designs just like other artists; musicians have on their works. If it works out, the designers will be able to register their designs with the U.S. Copyright Office. The designs would then be protected for three years. It would be illegal for anyone to manufacture anything similar to the designs. The CFDA is an organization of over 270 designers and they are very upset with the manufacturers of the knock offs. <br /><br />This is just two of the many companies or products, which are getting irate about the knock offs, found in the streets, discount stores, or wherever they are being sold. There are watches, jewelry, purses, shoes, and many more products. Many of the products use the same names and just spell them differently so the buyer may not notice. This problem is not new by no means but the Popular Manufacturers have decided it is enough and now is the time to take action. Time will tell which ones will win.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as the latest style at <a href="http://www.styleandentertainment.com/">http://www.styleandentertainment.com</a></p> 2006-10-13T09:58-04:00 http://articles.styleandentertainment.com/?a=36042 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>American Eagle is the icon or name of many different companies as well as the national bird. When someone asks about American eagle we can discuss many different topics. We might talk about the American Eagle Outfitters clothing line or shoes, mountain bikes, gold coins, wheels and we can even discuss the American Eagle Airlines. The conversation could go on for hours about any one of these products or home decorations such as the American Eagle Statue.<br /><br />But if your into fashion you are most interesting in the local mall location of the American Eagle Outfitters. In recent years this trendy store has popped up in almost every shopping center across America. It is not a patriotic thing, it is a style thing. Teens and adults alike all love the casual comfort that the popular stores have brought to mid America. <br /><br />The popular garment maker is not the only trendy fashion clothing store in your local shopping mall, there are plenty of other hip store that kids and adults like to shop in. When shopping for fashion many teens are particularly interested in clothing stores that have a reputation among other teenagers. <br /><br />The Gap and Old Navy are among some of the favorite clothing stores for many teens and families. But the American Eagle stores are trying to set themselves apart from the traditional look and feel of The Gap and Old Navy. The company wants to be unique and in order to give that unique feel to their customers they continually offer great deals on their clothing and unbeatable customer service.<br /><br />When shopping for clothes you really have a hundred different choices at least when you are in a mall. How do you make a decision on which store you are going to frequent. American Eagle Outfitters has decided that their level of service is a driving factor in bringing return customers into their store. <br /><br />So although they may not have the lowest priced jeans in the mall, the company wants customers to remember their last shopping experience and be willing to pay a little more for the quality of their shopping experience. <br /><br />To help drive new customer traffic the clothing store will often put on huge clothing sales and slash their prices to get some of the bargain shoppers in the doors. After these new shoppers buy a garment and feel the quality of the piece, the company hopes that they will also remember the great customer service and decide to come back and shop on a non-sale day. <br /><br />No matter where you shop for your clothes it is always important to give your business and your money to the companies that you feel are working the hardest to meet your needs as a consumer.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as stylish clothes at <a href="http://www.styleandentertainment.com/">http://www.styleandentertainment.com</a></p> 2006-10-07T18:40-04:00