Waste Not, Want Not: Will the Fashion Industry Embrace a Zero-Waste Existence?

Waste not, want not.

It's hard to turn on the TV, radio, or computer and not find a story involving the environment. It has become a way of life, and whatever your thoughts on the movement, it's going to be hard to avoid.

Sure, the eco-vists out there are already recycling, hanging their clothes dry, and maybe even composting their waste. However, no one, at least in the fashion world, is taking the eco-friendly movement as seriously as Parsons the New School for Design.

Starting next semester, the New School will offer courses in zero-waste fashion design. The New York Times recently published an article, "Fashion Tries on Zero Waste Design," which gives the history of the movement as well as the trials and tribulations of creating fashionable garments with little to no waste.

To read the NYT article, please visit: http://nytimes.com/2010/08/15/fashion/15waste.html

The Past Week in PR: August 11, 2010

Because it's been a busy few days for everyone (waiting for New York Fashion Week credentials to be approved, last minute summer trips, etc.), I wanted to recap two of the most important pieces of PR news that have surfaced in the past week:

First, Jason Shuffler recently reported for PR Week that Ogilvy Senior Vice President Dushka Zapata has been promoted to head the San Francisco office.

Second, the PR crisis of the week involves former HP CEO Mark Hurd who recently resigned amidst allegations of sexual harassment. Hugh Collins reported for Daily Finance that Hurd hired Sitrick & Co., a PR agency well-versed in crisis communication, shortly before he quit.

Finally, some fashion PR news for those fashion-hungry:

Lisa Elia Public Relations firm launches "an affordable PR coaching program that enables emerging fashion and product designers to gain visibility."

Social Media Celebrities: Opportunities and Threats

The Social Media Examiner recently published an article by Bill Seaver titled "Dealing with Employees Who Are Social Media Celebrities."

Like Seaver explains, the wonderful thing about social media is that almost anyone can become a celebrity. Awesome!

An employee celebrity is described as someone who "has a positive reputation apart from or in addition to your corporate brand."

However, employers should proceed with caution. While your employee celebrity could present you and the organization with some positive opportunities, the hiring does not come without some very real threats.

Kudos to Seaver for giving examples of these threats, specifically naming those who were unlucky enough to incite anger over a simple tweet. Hello, people. It's the age of the Internet. Nothing you say is private, especially on social media sites.

To read the full article, visit www.socialmediaexaminer.com/employees-as-social-media-celebrities/.