The World According to M.I.S.S. Bernie Madoff Sentenced

This past Monday, June 29th a one Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison with no chance of parole, for defrauding thousands of investors out of what is said to be billions of dollars, and for organizing and operating a Ponzi scheme, which is being called the biggest investor fraud ever committed by a single person. This Ponzi scheme, which is an operation that pays returns to investors from their own money instead of from any actual profit within the company, has caused Madoff to not only spend his life in prison, but liquidate all his assets to satisfy a $170 billion dollar restitution.

Bernie Madoff, according to some, shook the foundation of trust American’s had in our financial and legal systems, when he confessed first to his sons in December of 2008 that his Ponzi scheme was “one big lie” as he put it.  Since as early as 1999 the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had been suspicious of the activity taking place in Madoff’s firm, and had conducted several investigations, critics contending the firm was incompetently handled. In fact, many victims and some politicians are blaming regulators and lawmakers for betraying them and not stopping Madoff sooner.

Bernie Madoff apologized for the harm he inflicted on his family and those that trusted in him

Presiding over the case, US District Court Judge Denny Chin noted that more than 100 victims wrote letters to him, not one being in support of Madoff. Having to sit through the statements of 9 of his victims during his trail, Madoff was forced to face his demons when they told their stories of how his deception had effected them. One woman stating that she had left her late husbands entire estate in the hands of Madoff & Co, and now was forced to move from her home because of lack of funds.

“I hope his sentence is long enough so his jail cell will become his coffin,” said Michael Schwartz, 33 years old, of New Jersey, who said his family’s funds with Madoff had been for the care of his mentally disabled brother.

Judge Chin, finally putting to rest a case that has shattered lives, has condemed Madoff’s crimes as “extrodinarily evil”, and imposed a sentence that his three times as long as the federal probation office suggested, and ten times longer than what his lawyers initially asked for. Given a moment to address his victims, Bernie Madoff apologized for the harm he inflicted on his family and those that trusted in him and blamed his pride that he wasn’t able to be honest with himself and others that he was a bad money manager.

“I am responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain. I understand that,” he said, leaning slightly forward over the polished table, his charcoal suit sagging on his diminished frame.

“I live in a tormented state now, knowing of all the pain and suffering that I have created.”

M.I.S.S. Techcessories: Blackberry Goes On Tour July 12th on Verizon Wireless and Sprint

While Palm was busy with the launch of the Pre, and Apple was busy making the iPhone 3GS a lot speedier than its predecessor, Research in Motion (RIM) was preparing a new Blackberry to rule them all: The Blackberry Tour.  The latest and what looks to be the greatest Blackberry yet continues the design aesthetic employed by the dead sexy Curve and Bold phones and should be a hit with regular old consumers like myself and trendsetting, globe hopping business-minded ladies: the phone works on both North American CDMA networks as well as EDGE/GSM/GPRS networks abroad, and with the on-board GPS you’ll be able to know where things are in whatever North American or old European city you’re traveling in.  Like just about every other Blackberry under the sun, the Tour includes strong integration with corporate e-mail and calendar programs like Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange and features a handful of useful multimedia features as well. There’s a full HTML browser, the phone can play various types of audio and video files, and you can use iTunes to synch and manage unprotected media with the preloaded BlackBerry Media Sync.  It comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus capabilities, and the Tour can access Blackberry App World for downloading new programs over the air.  There’s no Wi-Fi, but it is 3G enabled so you might not even miss it.

The Tour will be available on both Verizon Wireless and Sprint on July 12th for $199 on a two year contract.  Get out the popcorn…I smell a fight brewing!

Anthropologie Presents - Vera: A New Look

When you hear the name Vera in regards to fashion these days, most people automatically think of designer Vera Wang, and her gorgeous gowns for made for weddings and other fancy occasions. But before Vera Wang came along, the name Vera was synonymous with the bold textiles created by the early feminist icon - artist turned designer, Vera Neumann who in 1946, started to screenprint images from her paintings onto place mats after she and her husband George, and partner Werner Hamm founded the Printex textile company in New York City. Together, they built an extremely successful business manufacturing silk scarves out of surplus army parachute silk, that became coveted by women worldwide. The company eventually expanded into apparel, manufacturing women’s sportswear, and licensed her designs  for dishes, household linens and other home goods. By the 70’s she had built a $100 million business with products that all started as original pieces of art created by her own hand, carried in 20,000 stores around the world.  Her company was essentially the prototype Martha Stewart brand.

Installation of Vintage Vera Scarves

Vintage collectors worldwide have not lost their fervor for collecting Vera goods, and in response, retailer Anthropologie has worked with The Vera Company to license the original artwork of Vera Neumann to create a modern apparel and home goods line called We [Heart] Vera, which debuted in their stores this spring.  Continuing and building on this relationship, Anthropologie collaborated with The Vera Company to curate an exhibit that debuted last week in their Rockerfeller Center flagship store, putting an eclectic mix of 40 original Vera scarves from the company’s archives on display with original film print negatives that were originally used to create the screens to print Vera scarves. The exhibit also includes a video installation entitled “In the Company of Vera” which was made by the company in the mid-70’s, and shows viewers an inside look of the Vera showroom, workroom, vertical manufacturing process in the company’s Ossining mansion, and introduces the individuals integral to Vera’s life, and business. In one scene, you can even catch a glimpse of designer Perry Ellis, who was one of Vera’s many protégés.

Anthropologie We Heart Vera Spring '09

Anthropologie We Heart Vera Fall '09

Vera once said “Color sings to me. Color is such a marvelous way of expressing emotion. We have so many problems in this world, color just brings a little bit of joy into our lives”  and I couldn’t agree with her more.  I was turned on to Vera by my mother. Vera’s energetic designs are synonymous with my earliest memories because my parents had a few sets of Vera sheets for their king size bed, and they eventually became the sheets we would take to lay out on our trips to the park and beach, always garnering much attention from passersby. The sheets have been passed down to me, and I continue to collect Vera scarves, clothing and textiles when I find them in thrift stores, or can manage to scrounge up the loot to battle it out on Ebay. Everything about her work to me just feels so accessible, vibrantly pedestrian and like home.

The Vera: A New Look gallery will remain open at the 40 Rockerfeller Center Anthropologie store through August when the new collection will be hitting stores for fall.  The collection of skirts, dresses, and tunics will have a modern feel in keeping with the tone of the designs, chosen from artwork painted by Vera from 1961-1969.  Print negatives are available for sale at the gallery for $280 - $380. Some of the spring items from the We [Heart] Vera collection are still available on Anthropologie.com.

Baptiste Viry Fall 09

French designer Baptiste Viry has released the look book for this Fall 09 collection and we love it!

Known for his design prowess, waistcoats and accessories, the new collection is nothing short of spectacular. 
The women’s waistcoats differ from your normal waistcoat, with each structured with a strong geometric influence, combining the colours navy and tan with plaid accents on most of the pieces. The detailing on each piece is vastly different including gold buttons, buckles, fasteners and pockets.

Gold and leather make up the Fall 09 accessories collection, with buckles again taking centre stage in most pieces. A charming leather strap necklace adorned with a bow tie fastened to the middle of the piece was the first thing I noticed - I predict it may be one of the best sellers of the collection.  Necklaces, cuffs and bracelets reminiscent of leather belts are my favourites of the collection, with a necklace made of a gold chain and leather strap combo quickly winning first place in my heart.

Keep your eye on the Baptiste Viry website for more information on when this collection hits the stores.

Wundervoll Fall '09 Collection

Berlin label Wundervoll, is now in it’s third collection and they have once again taken on the challenge of designing lingerie that is not only of high quality and comfort, but is also feminine and sexy.

“Our look has become more courageous and sophisticated. The materials and new designs lend the collection a touch of Art Déco and retro-futurism,” says Matthias Jaschke, founder of Wundervoll.
The collection features twelve models of 100% silk and six models of certified organic cotton. This materials gently cover the body without confining it, resulting in sensuous wearing comfort. The fine silk jersey wins over with its luxurious sheen and wonderful draping. The fine organic cotton jersey offers unusually high quality with a matted finish. The ten percent Lycra contributes to its excellent fit. Wundervoll also places particular importance on detailed workmanship on the inside of the garment. It is finished with fine logo bands with gold print.

Images of the entire Wundervoll collection can be found at www.wundervoll.com.

Cocktails, BBQ, Game Lounge, + Spa Treatments

Hosted by:
The Lonely Island’s
Andy Samberg
Akiva Schaffer
Rashida Jones

Music by:
The Madden Brothers
DJ Reflex

Sponsored by:
Mosley Tribes
EA Sports
Epiphany Media
Lovemade

1-8p
Hotel Shangri-La
1301 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica
http://www.shangrila-hotel.com/

RSVP open to the first 100 ladies to email
heart@love-made.com

JUNE 30th to JULY 6th!