Retail Round-Up

This week’s best fashion stories and links are a random bunch.  There’s a wedding. And a lawsuit! But most importantly, there’s a new podcast from all of us at Follow The Thread. Pick your poison!

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The Ultimate Fashion Podcast Dissects Travel Style

In the latest episode of the Follow The Thread podcast, I discuss the intersection of travel and fashion with co-hosts Rachel D., Amanda and Molly. You’ll hear our best tips for smart suitcasery — but mostly, you’ll hear an abundance of stories about the packing decisions we regretted. (I pretty much pack the way Claudia Kishi did, which explains 99% of my travel-related problems.)

Jennifer Aniston's first trip down the (televised) aisle was in 1994.
Jennifer Aniston’s first trip down the (televised) aisle was in 1994.

OMG RACHEL GOT MARRIED

In case you missed it, Jennifer Aniston got married over the weekend. She pulled off the secret ceremony in the grand tradition of Britney Spears and Julia Roberts — by faking a backyard BBQ birthday party. (Surprise!)

We have no photos of her dress yet — and I’m not holding my breath for an official photo shoot — but we’re told that her look was casual and beachy. (Frankly, I’m just relieved she didn’t continue her decades-long parade of black gowns.)

Slowly, the details of her accessories have slipped out, including the fact that the rings were designed by Jennifer Meyer (wife of Tobey Maguire and daughter of Ron Meyer, the big kahuna at NBCUniversal).

I’m sure the baby bump speculation will begin as soon as the bride returns from her Bora Bora honeymoon. Godspeed, kids.

An unpaid intern just served a lawsuit to the Olsen twins' fashion label.
An unpaid intern just served a lawsuit to the Olsen twins’ fashion label.

The Unpaid Intern Lawsuit

Earlier this week, news broke that a former intern from the Olsen twins’ fashion label (The Row) filed a lawsuit claiming that she had worked 50-hour weeks — UNPAID, omg. Pass me the smelling salts.

The Internet was awash in snarky commentary that simultaneously fretted over the inhumane working conditions of fashion (interns have rights!) while clearing Ashley and Mary-Kate of wrongdoing (it’s not THEIR fault that fashion internships are required to suck!).

This is a head-scratcher for me. While I was lucky enough to score paid internships when I was in college, my very FIRST reporting internship in high school — the gig that got me in the door for every subsequent job interview — was unpaid. It never occurred to me to complain — it’s assumed that you just have to pay your dues.

Coveted industries like fashion and journalism can command this type of freemium talent. (Vogue didn’t pay its interns back in 2004 when I considered applying, for example.) But unpaid internships seem to be disproportionately concentrated in artistic fields. I highly doubt most people are clamoring for unpaid auditing internships.)

On the other hand, unpaid labor straddles a fine line. An internship can easily become exploitation, and unpaid internships exclude many qualified candidates who simply can’t afford to work without a wage. I hope this opens up some productive dialogue — but based on the Internet trolling I’ve witnessed, I’m not sure we’re ready. (Curious to hear what you guys think about this!)