April MBF Favorite Picks

Welcome to our first bi-monthly blog post of MBF's Favorite Picks! Here you will find the latest and our favorite things in fashion, art, and culture. We appreciate our readers and hope that you find something fun and interesting from our picks. And of course, if you ever have any recommendations, we would love to hear from you!

The theme for this month is exploration-- the question of boundaries, public spaces, and taboo subjects. As our culture modernizes and becomes open to new ideas and changes, the standard for what is appropriate is constantly being changed and challenged. So here are a list of some things we'd like to share:

photo via: Examiner

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Man som hatar kvinnor)
Director: Niels Arden Oplev
Cast: Peter Haber, Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, David Dencik, Georgi Staykov
(Read the NY Times Review here)

photo via: Laia Cabrera

"Claim Your Place" 
Barcelona/New York/Berlin/Toulouse - 2009-2010
Creation: Laia Cabrera and Nuria Legarda
Interpretation: Nuria Legarda
Artistic collaboration: Leo Castro, Isabelle Duverger
Video recording and editing: Laia Cabrera

"Claim your place" is an expressive theater-film-video installation for large scale, outdoor or indoor projection that sits somewhere between film-making, theater-dance, digital art and sound design. This project emerged from an encounter between Nuria Legarda and Laia Cabrera, two innovate artists and creators. It explores beauty, desire, and violence. The three pieces (the installation, the multimedia theater play and the film-dance piece) are conceived as a whole but can also function independently. The video installation surrounds the audience with real-time projections as well as pre-recorded ones, putting them center stage. The multimedia theater play takes the audience on a unique journey by merging cinematic art, dance, photography, theater, visual arts and exposition. In the film-dance piece, the audience observes projected imagery from the outside as a cinematic experience. The various physical and virtual elements of Claim Your Place creates a sensorial landscape of storytelling.
(More info here.)

Photo via: Frillr

Gentlewoman

Editor-in-Chief: Penny Martin

Cover: Phoebe Philo

Photographer: David Sims

Stylist: Camilla Nickerson

photo via: MoMA

Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present
March 14- May 31, 2010
MoMA, New York City 

"This performance retrospective traces the prolific career of Marina Abramovic (Yugoslav, b. 1946) with approximately fifty works spanning over four decades of her early inventions and sound pieces, video works, installations, photographs, solo performances, and collaborative performances made with Ulay (Uwe Laysiepen). In an endeavor to transmit the presence of the artist and make her historical performances accessible to a larger audience, the exhibition includes the first live re-performances of Abramovic's works by other people ever to be undertaken in a museum setting. In addition, a new, original work performed by Abramovic will mark the longest duration of time that she has performed a single solo piece."
(More info here.)

photo via: Fund Art Now

Fund Art Now 

Launches March 25 - April 4, 2010

Larson, 2010 via: Ryan McGinley

Ryan McGinley: "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere"
March 18-April 17, 2010
Team Gallery
83 Grand Street
New York, NY 10013

Quick Intro to Line2 for iPhone from Toren Ajk on Vimeo.

"Line2 adds a second number to your iPhone that works over 3G, WiFi or Cellular networks using the same number... an industry first. Ideal if you have poor cell reception or just want to reduce your cell bill."

(more info here.)

Terracycle's Green Up Shop 
March 27- May 1
Monday - Saturday 11am - 7pm 
641 8th Ave. at 41st Street
NYC, NY 10018
(more info here.)

Nothing to Hide

One of the biggest trends of our times is transparency-- and we're not just talking about sheer tank tops or blouses here. What we are seeing is not limited to the runway fashions with trends that may not withstand more than a few months, but rather a cultural shift that is drastically changing the way we live, feel, and think as individuals and active members of society.

As we have many times discussed the rising popularity of social media networks and technological advancement of all industries, along with these is more openness and transparency. Networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have become so integrated with how we interact with others, both in our personal lives and business, that we are now accustomed to, and even expect, to have access to what everyone is up to and letting others know about us. As communication is becoming faster, wider, and easier, people seem to be less concerned about invasion of privacy, or at least there is now a whole new set of standards.

                              Cast of Kell on Earth via: Pop Tower

In turn, this mentality has affected every industry in the way companies market themselves and interact with their customers. The fashion industry has become more open with what goes "behind-the-scenes"
as fashion-related reality TV shows have increased in popularity with new shows coming up every year, like this year's newest hits Kell on Earth and Launch My Line. There is also more openness in the retail segment. Last year, the always forward Opening Ceremony created a blog, giving a behind-the-scenes knowledge of their staff, collections, and personal interests. And more recently, J. Crew began sharing a selection of clothing handpicked by their creative director, giving a more personal shopping experience to their clients, as well as interviews with their favorite muses, sharing who and what inspires them.

                                                via: J. Crew

In addition, there is also a growing number of websites designed exclusively to review a product or company. Trip Advisor, for example, is one of the most popular and trusted travel review sites today, boasting with over 30 million reviews on more than 490,000 hotels and attractions, with over 45 million monthly visitors. Yelp, attracting 26 million monthly visitors with over 9 million local reviews, has also become the go-to site to review practically anything in any US city, whether it's which restaurant to dine at, which mall to shop, or which dentist to go to. But there are also more specific review sites like MakeupAlley.com, dedicated to reviewing beauty products, or MySears.com, focused solely on reviewing Sears products.

As we live in a globally connected society where communication is all about real time, the future of any industry is all about having real conversations with their customers and knowing how to best respond to it. Simply put, consumers are better educated, and they want to know more. As more information is available, people are more interested in the bigger picture of things as it is no longer just about the final product. A company's stance on health, social, ethical, and eco responsibility all have a say in the final purchase.

There are now many tools designed to help support this. Shopsavvy, an Android app, allows one to scan almost any barcode using the phone's camera, and it will then search over 20,000 online and local retailers to find the best price. Fatburgr, a website and iPhone application, allows one to search the nutritional facts of almost every fast-food restaurant. One of our favorites is the GoodGuide, a website and iPhone application providing information for the eco-conscious consumer, evaluating the life cycle of over 70,000 products. Project Label is another, creating "people-powered company nutrition labels", showing a company's social and environmental impact. Using the power of the web, the site allows consumers, businesses, and organizations to add, discuss, and vote on credible news, media, and research to help build these labels.

                                            via: Inhabitat

With websites and tools like these, it is only more beneficial for companies to be more transparent about their business practices and take more responsibility. As there is a growing number of websites such as these, there is very little room to hide and much less space for error.

And since we've mentioned Walmart in our previous post, we want to point out that last July, they announced plans to develop a sustainable product index, evaluating the sustainability of all their products. Beginning with a survey of its more than 100,000 suppliers, they plan to focus on four specific areas: energy and climate; material efficiency; natural resources, and; people and community. Walmart's president and CEO has a clear vision of the future, stating, "[Customers] want information about the entire life cycle of a product so they can feel good about buying it. They want to know that the materials in the product are safe, that it was made well and that it was produced in a responsible way. We do not see this as a trend that will fade. Higher customer expectations are a permanent part of the future."

We can't help but agree more. As transparency becomes more in demand, tools that help sustainable consumption is integral. And overall, it's becoming more difficult to separate technology with sustainability as the two are extremely interlinked. In order for brands and products to succeed today, overcoming scrutiny and withstanding a society that demands so much, companies must think more strategically; and that means being more engaged with their customers, being more honest, and ultimately being more responsible.

What's next for Runways?

Alexander Wang's FW '10 Collection streamed on a Times Square Billboard via: WWD

As mentioned several times already, technology is the driving force of our society. And along with technology is immediacy. It is apparent in the fashion industry as more runway shows this season were streamed live, allowing anyone from anywhere to join as if sitting front row. No longer does the rest of the world need to wait the next day to see the latest collections. Everything is available in real time.

As we live in a culture where everything is about technology and the now, the purpose and pertinence of fashion shows has been a hot topic. Although runway shows are available for viewing faster than ever, is it still relevant if the collections don't hit the sales floor until months later?
 
Neiman Marcus' Karen Katz and Ken Downing certainly disagree, stating, "it keeps the dream alive." Katz further comments, "it keeps the mystique of the great world of fashion, and that continues to be so important to the consumer, especially since we're in a time where there is so much reality TV and everyone knows everything about everything."

Although we do not see runway shows disappearing anytime soon, we do foreshadow a change in how runway shows manage its' presentation and accessibility. With the advancement of 3D technology and live streaming, runway shows have the potential to enhance and change the viewers' experience so that it is more modern and exciting. Although the use of social media and the Internet will continue to rise, such factors should not compete with the applicability and function of a runway show, but only enhance it. In the past, runway shows were largely viewed only by celebrities and fashion insiders. But as many designers are live streaming their shows, we can anticipate runway shows making a larger impact on a brand or designer as it can influence a much wider audience. For example, Alexander Wang's latest collection was not only streamed on Nick Knight's website SHOWstudio, but also projected onto a Times Square billboard. As New York is his brand's inspiration, Wang wanted to "bring [the show] to the people of New York and make it part of the landscape." Attracting a wide audience of tourists and people of all ages, Wang is one of the first to take fashion and technology to another level this past season.

As Olivier Zahm of Purple Magazine states, "The fashion show is a really important moment. It's a ceremony, and it's also still five to ten minutes of pure fashion, free from everything, free from commerce. I mean, we have to preserve this little moment, this psychological concept of potlatch, where you spend money for just feux d'artifice, fireworks. We celebrate, and we only celebrate and we spend the money away because we celebrate our love for fashion."

Because we live in such a technologically advanced society, people are always in anticipation of what's next. New products and experiences are released in the market faster than ever, and our culture is much more eager to adapt and change. So yes, fashion shows are here to stay; it is an integral and exciting component of our industry. But as long as technology is advancing, it's platform will certainly evolve as it continues to be explored through various mediums. As Nick Knight, fashion photographer and Director of SHOWstudio, states, "I see the future of fashion weeks around the world as not only a physical schedule of shows, but also as a digital calendar of fashion experiences online, which bridge the industry and consumer experience." So although Fall 2010 Fashion Week has just come to a wrap, stay tuned as we are already on the lookout for what the next season has in store. 

"It's Getting Harder and Harder to Hate Walmart."

                                                  via: EDF

On Thursday February 25, the $405-billion a year retailer Walmart held a live broadcast, moderated by TreeHugger, announcing a major step toward its sustainability mission. Though they have made previous efforts to be more sustainable, this was their first commitment to specifically reduce greenhouse gases, promising to eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from their global supply chain by the end of 2015. This action is a result of five years of collaboration with EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) and others. (The webcast of the announcement can be viewed here.)

In order to make this goal a reality, Walmart plans to ask their estimated 100,000 companies that supply it to cut the amount of carbon they emit when they produce, package, and ship their products. This is an incredibly hefty demand, affecting every step of the manufacturing process from raw materials to recycling.

Though Walmart's goal is commendable, their method of achieving it will be adding an extreme amount of pressure more on their suppliers, rather than on themselves. Their reason for this approach is explained in their press release, stating "the footprint of Walmart's global supply chain is many times larger than its operational footprint and represents a more impactful opportunity to reduce emissions." Because this is such a new concept with large areas of uncharted territory, the details of how Walmart will manage this and support their suppliers with these adjustments is yet to be described.

It is understandable that the most efficient way to reduce greenhouse gases is through their global supply chain. However, as Stacy Mitchell, a senior researcher with the New Rules Project, argues, "Walmart continues to deflect attention from the enormous greenhouse gas implications of its own business model." Walmart's Responsibility Report shows that their carbon emissions have only grown within the last five years as they resisted pressures to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions. It is a bit ironic that they are asking their suppliers to cut down, when they are doing more harm now than they were three or five years ago.

                                           via: GreenBiz.com 

However, one cannot be quick too judge and disregard this recent announcement. Although we do not support many of Walmart's social and business policies, we can still appreciate the direction it is moving toward. Some critics may argue that Walmart is only making these changes as a business advantage and their sustainability approach is a mere marketing strategy. However, regardless of their motives, this is still a move that is beneficial for our planet. Even if Walmart's main concern is for financial gain, this step benefits the earth, protects our environment, and preserves our natural resources.

In addition, because of Walmart's scale, any relatively small change leads to big reductions. For example, several years ago, Walmart asked 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to make their plastic packaging lighter. They agreed, and eventually, the new lighter packaging was used for software and games. And this was applied not solely for Walmart, but for every other supplier as well. As Walmart works with many of the world's biggest companies, they have an incredible amount of influence in other business practices. Furthermore, as more than a third of all Americans shop at Walmart every week, they influence a large group of consumers' attitudes and habits in the home. The scale of Walmart is enormous; it employs 2 million employees worldwide, has 8,100 stores internationally, and is supplied by 30,000 factories in China. Despite the negative connotations of a mass retail chain store, one cannot ignore the weight of influence it can have on the world.

                                                 via: Flickr

As Michelle Harvey of EDF states, "it's getting harder and harder to hate Walmart." The steps Walmart is taking encourages us that sustainability is moving forward, as long as it remains affordable and profitable. As a corporation as large as this, it is guaranteed that there will be a positive rippling effect. 

H&M Launches Organic Skincare Line

via: Stylist

Several weeks ago, we blogged about H&M's upcoming eco-friendly line The Garden Collection. But shortly after, their move toward sustainable practices backfired when news spread that they were using 30% genetically modified cotton. Since then, we've been keeping an eye on them to see where the company was going in terms of their efforts to go green. We were a bit skeptical if their green efforts were genuine, or just a publicity act.

So this month, H&M announced their interest of the skincare world with the launch of their first organic skincare collection. All items priced under $8, they offer shower gels, body lotions, scrubs, and lip balms certified by Ecocert, Europe's leading organization for the certification of natural and organic cosmetics. They also offer makeup and toiletry bags made of organic cotton, and all products are packaged in recyclable packaging. Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M's head of design, states it was a natural step for H&M, and includes, "There's also a strong demand from our customers for organics, and I hope they will be as excited as I am about the new products."

As a fast fashion retailer, we are glad to hear H&M's continued efforts to be more eco-conscious and the support they have been receiving from their customers. Although we have been critical of their efforts, we applaud them for continuing to bring more eco-conscious products to the mass market. As sustainability is still a relatively new concept in the fashion and beauty industry, H&M's small steps are commendable, especially since most of their competitors do not offer similar eco-friendly alternatives. H&M promises that sustainability will only grow to be of more importance in their work, committing to increase the use of organic cotton by 50% each year until 2013.

And on a side note, their UK-based competitor, Topshop, also plans to launch their first beauty line, not organic, this coming May.

LVMH's NOWNESS

                  still from Lily donaldson's Flying Hair via: Nowness

We live in a time where ideas are constantly being thrown around from all sorts of places and angles. Living in a global society, the Internet has become the central hub for ideas to be communicated, shared, and evolved. LVMH has grasped this concept and recently launched a luxury lifestyle site, NOWNESS, where new content is shared daily by the most respected and innovative creatives working today. 

A place to be inspired, NOWNESS introduces the latest and best of fashion, art, culture, and travel in digital form. With interactive capabilities and user-friendly interface, its allows viewers to engage with the site as it then tailors the content to the viewer's specific interest. With it's "Love/Don't Love" feature, they are also able to directly gauge consumer reaction to products and ideas, setting up a new system of user testing and gathering information. 

Although NOWNESS is a brand of the luxury group, LVMH, the content is editorially independent and the NOWNESS international team collaborates with any creative individuals and brands. As content is the most important focus of the site, there is yet to be any revenue model. But as the site grows, it expects interest from advertisers. 

Because much of luxury is about tradition, the luxury market has always been a bit slow in adapting to online media. But NOWNESS has taken the leap as it experiments with new capabilities and sharing of ideas through the Internet. While it's approach is relevant to today's society, it remains faithful to the luxury lifestyle with it's forward-thinking approach to creativity and innovation. The concept of NOWNESS is not a completely new idea, but an evolution of what has been happening in social media such as blogs, Twitter, and Facebook. 

We live in a time where it is crucial for luxury brands to re-strategize and re-market themselves in order to stay on top of today's technologically advanced society. The power of the Internet is becoming increasingly important as it is continually being explored and expanded. We are eager to see how NOWNESS develops and differs itself from today's never-ending list of online editorial sites. But we also expect that this trend of online presence will continue to grow as other brands imitate with similar concepts. 

The Role of the Blogger

     Designer John Galliano and Blogger Tavi Gevinson via: Style Rookie

As previously mentioned in our earlier blog post, bloggers have a new role and greater influence in fashion than ever before. As everyone relies on the Internet nowadays for the latest information, the influence of blogs is something that cannot be ignored. Not only is it a source of information or inspiration, blogs are also the new type of portfolio in the fashion industry. It can lead to sponsorships, deals, collaborations, and jobs in marketing, fashion and media. Naomi Nevitt, a new media consultant, states that there are so many different types of blogs. And "it's about designers seeing how important this is, and the ability to circulate this information so quickly is really important." Looking toward the future, she predicts "personal style blogs filling the role of the traditional stylist. Just in the way a [public relations] company will lend out an item to shoot to a magazine, it's that way for a personal style blog showing how this item can exist in people's wardrobes."

                            Designer Marc Jacobs via: Vogue Espana

A few years ago, it would have sounded ridiculous for a blogger to be a designer's muse, inspire a new It bag, or be invited to sit front row of a fashion show. But it is now apparent that we are living in a new era where relatively anyone with a computer and Internet access can have a voice in fashion. And more recently, it is clear that not only do bloggers have a voice, but they have somehow managed to take the lead.

The power pyramid has shifted and designers are paying more attention to what bloggers are saying. Attracting hundreds of thousands of hits per month, these bloggers influence a wider audience. Calling them key influencers, a spokeswoman from Tory Burch states, "we hope that through their sites, they'll introduce Tory Burch to a whole new set of customers... Blogs and Web sites invite a dialogue with readers and customers that is invaluable to us." Fashion designer Norma Kamali also noted that "there is no elite in anything anymore."Calling them leaders, she says she appreciates the way they interpret what she does and publicly share it with others.

Jane Aldridge at Crillon Ball via: Sea of Shoes 

Bloggers play a multi-dimensional role; they are the new celebrities, editors, critics, stylists, muses, etc... The list can go on and on. 13-year-old Tavi Gevinson of Style Rookie is now a correspondent for Pop Magazine and has reportedly been approached about a reality TV show and a book. 17-year-old blogger of Sea of Shoes, Jane Aldridge, designed a capsule collection for Urban Outfitters and was invited by Vogue to attend the Paris Crillon Ball in a Chanel Haute Couture gown. And London-based 25-year-old Susie Lau of Susie Bubble is now an editor at Dazed & Confused.

With all of this attention given to bloggers, there has been an uproar the last few weeks of bloggers versus editors. 13-year-old Tavi Gevinson, blogger of Style Rookie, wrote her stance, and Business of Fashion made a great point. And for the most part, bloggers are not trying to take over anyone's position or step on anyone's toes. As Business of Fashion states, instead of an unconstructive us versus them mentality, journalists and editors should engage genuine dialogues with bloggers "about the state of the industry and the ways in which social media can make fashion a more participative industry."

As information is available to everybody instantly, the pace of fashion has moved much more quickly than before. Today, most fashion brands and retailers have some form of blogger outreach. Whether these companies are giving bloggers new products, inside scoops, inviting them to special events or fashion shows, those who are smart enough know that they cannot ignore this new blogosphere. Journalists, stylists, and editors may feel attacked by the power of bloggers. But that does not need to be the case.  Perhaps many people who have been in the fashion industry for a long period are not yet comfortable with this idea, but it is only to their disadvantage to not accept the changing times. 

Information moves quickly, and people are reacting quickly. As information becomes more widely available and fashion becomes more transparent, we stand in a midst of a revolution. It's clear that blogging is not just a trend, and we look forward to how this will evolve and change the fashion industry.

Source: WWD

A Return to Luxury?

                                                                    via: Flickr

As an estimated twenty percent of the US population are still unemployed or working part-time, the 
recession is still a reality for many of us. Most of us are still looking for the best bargains and being frugal with our dining expenses. So it was a bit of a surprise when we heard that despite the economic state, the luxury market is actually doing better than expected.

Richard Hastings, retail strategist at Global Hunter Securities, estimates that about half of the 80% of Americans fully employed are not affected by the economic state. As they are less concerned about the stability of their jobs, many have begun to comfortably open up their wallets. And it's not just casual spending, we're talking about a return to high-end luxury goods.

Retail companies from all angles have reported sale increases. Tracey Travis, chief financial officer of Polo Ralph Lauren, states that he has "begun to see the gradual return of our core luxury customer," including buyers of their $4,000 couture dresses. Representatives of the Louis Vuitton Las Vegas boutique, which just opened last December, announced that sales were 50 percent higher than their predicted forecast. Prada's retail sales rose more than 14 percent and expressed hopeful prospects for the coming months. Abercrombie & Fitch recently reported an 8% sales increase, its first monthly increase for the last 20 months. In addition, the top department store chains, Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom, and Bloomgdales all report an increase sales growth. Neiman Marcus also noted that their strongest categories were women's couture clothing and precious jewelry. And consumers are also shopping online. Online fashion retailer Yoox reported this week a 50 percent rise in their 2009 sales, claiming all markets, include Europe, North America, and Japan had strong sales. And just last month, ASOS, Yoox's rival online retailer, stated a 30 percent sales increase in the five weeks to January 3.

Despite the sales reports, in times like these, we can't help but to have some skepticism about this new confidence of such an optimistic outlook. What has suddenly urged people to spend so lavishly? And is it naive to say that this is going to gradually increase? But nonetheless, we would love to be proven wrong and hope that recovery may be faster than expected.

Stacy J Lee's Re(-)Creation

                                                 via: Ecouterre

Last week, Ecouterre highlighted the work of one of MBF's own staff members, Stacy J. Lee. Her Re(-)Creation line is an avant-garde approach of making use of what already exists. Collecting samples, left over and damaged merchandise, the line reworks what is considered waste into a one-of-a-kind piece of craft. Her first collection experiments with America's most iconic look: t-shirt and jeans. Click here to see the full article.

The New Social Currency

  Still from Vol de Jour, film by Karl Lagerfield via Chanel

With today's technological advances, it's hard to imagine how life was before the invention of the Internet. The world wide web has become such an integral part of all our daily lives, we barely notice how much it has affected us in such a short period of time. It has completely revolutionized every aspect of our culture, from how we run our businesses to our every day menial tasks. We adapted into a society where everything is accessible at anytime, anywhere. Checking status updates on Twitter and Facebook, reading newspapers on Kindles, listening to music on iPods, and writing emails on smart phones are all normal things most of us do everyday.

As we live in such a world, having virtual presence is key for the longevity and success of any business company. Smart retail companies and fashion brands recognize this and are shifting their marketing and branding strategies. These days, in order to stay afloat in the market, having digital content is vital. Without a platform in the digital world, a brand has almost no identity. And since creating a Facebook fan page, Twitter account, or a blog is free, building an online community has never been easier.

With the influence of media and technology, brands must begin to think in a more creative manner and offer something special in order to stand out against the crowd. As we are constantly bombarded with new ideas, brands must offer something interesting to keep their audience engaged. And to stay on top, it's much more than just about having presence; it's about innovation. Chanel, for example, has been making some changes lately with their runway videos, a silent film, video diaries, and their most recent development, Chanel News. Although Chanel is regarded as one of the most exclusive Parisian design houses, the brand recognizes that the world is not the same today as it was twenty, or even ten years ago and change is necessary. And even smaller designers are experimenting with film and media; Designer Vanessa Bruno for example, collaborated with model and actress Lou Doillon and director Stephanie Di Giusto for her last two seasons to create a fashion video "Visual Poem."

Tavi for Vogue Paris via Jak & Jil

 

Fashion is no longer about elite runway shows or exclusivity. Anyone can have a voice these days, and people are eager to exchange and criticize. The newest magazines are no longer in print, but online. Instead of monthly or weekly subscriptions, online magazines offer daily updates, videos, and endless content, and everything at virtually no cost. In addition, blogs have become even more important where blogging is now an acceptable full-time job. Gaining fans from around the world, bloggers, despite their age, location, or background, are influencing fashion trends and starting new ones. One does not necessarily need the traditional credentials to be offered a design collaboration or magazine spread. Just look at the thirteen-year old blogger from Chicago, Tavi, who is now Rodarte's muse and invited to cover almost every runway show.

We live in an exciting period where all the traditional systems of fashion are being redesigned, criticized, and restructured. And as we live in a global society where technology is the driving force, we are ready to leave the old, and embrace the new. Andy Warhol was right when he said, "in the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes." But even if recognition is easier to achieve, the challenge now lies in permanence.