April 25th, 2007 
Fashionista 
It seems that there some controversy between Jeff Banks and Topshop. Jeff Banks, a Scottish Fashion designer, has put in question Kate Moss input on Topshop’s new collection.
“Can Kate sharpen a pencil or draw a matchstick man? Banks asked. “I wouldn’t put money on it. I’ll bet [Kate Moss just grabbed one of her many Prada bags, rifled through her wardrobe … and turned up at Topshop’s head office in Oxford Street for a quick hour’s briefing with the in-house designers and buying staff.”
Banks criticism is directed at High Street retailers trend on using celebrities as designers. He also questions Madonna’s creative input on her line “M by Madonna†on H&M.
A spokesman for Topshop fired back with:
“Kate Moss has had a huge input in the range from every level, from the design concept of the garments to the fitting and the logo.
“The fashion industry may be a different place to the one Jeff Banks is used to. Top designers like John Galliano don’t cut patterns, they have pattern cutters. That’s the industry. Kate Moss isn’t a full-time member of staff and she isn’t a trained fashion designer, however we see her as a fashion icon.
“Most brands have made quite a lot of money out of copying what she wears.
“She’s been in the industry since she was 14, she’s been surrounded by the best designers and attended a million and one fittings and shoots.
“She’s hardly in a factory stitching clothing, but she’s been totally involved from the beginning.”
This controversy will go on as designers protect their turf and manufactures and retailers use celebrities (not news there) to sell their products.
Posted in