TheSpunker - by Ben Popken. Published by Gattaca, Inc.

Starve Cats for Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols taps squarely into the aspirational nature of its high-priced fashion in this series of humorous ads. See also Beans, Jigsaw Puzzle and Toilet Paper. Agency: DDB, London.

The Tipping Point: Ragged Fox Collars

In Malcom Gladwell's gripping tale of greed, intrigue and prophecy, The Tipping Point, "DeeDee Gordon" of the Lambesis ad agency cool-hunts elusive trendsetters to oracle what's hot or not and incorporate her findings into Airwalk's shoe campaigns. Now you can peer over the shoulder of a Finnish DeeDee Gordon and see what's poppin' in the street styles of Helsinki. As witz observes, it's "disturbingly similar" to Williamsburg.

How Much is that Bra in the Window?

CNN: "A lingerie store called Spellbound is grabbing attention with live models in the window. Some people have complained, but police say there is nothing illegal about the lingerie models... Spellbound owner Felicia Stockford said she has had no trouble finding staffers. She said the young women enjoy strutting their stuff in the shop window." The girls get paid in lingerie.

Dov Charney Disco Dancing Stud

Check out this disco dancing video of Dov Charney, CEO of American Apparel. "You pay a lot for a blank shirt...you get incensed by my ads...I'm grooving all the way to the bank...yeah yeah," is the message twinkling within his muttonchop shrouded visage. Via Apieceofshirt.

Abercrombie & Fitch Removes Offensive T-s

Abercrombie & Fitch reached an agreement with the Women & Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania whereby Abercrombie will stop selling several t-shirts in its stores. The shirts in question include those with sayings such as "Who needs brains when you have these" or "I had a nightmare I was a brunette." These shirts fall under Abercrombie's category of "attitude" tees (view here). Read more at Temple News. Via BrandNoise.

Boob Wall Designed

"A Dutch designer has created a wall of fake breasts to help male shoppers buy bras that fit their wives or girlfriends. "When trying to buy a sexy bra for their wife or girlfriend, usually they point to other women in the shop or, when asked about size, they say a 'handful'." The wall consists of rows of silicon breasts in all sizes. By look and touch, male shoppers can work out the right size." Source.

American Apparel est moy Scary

Just in time for Halloween, our favorite sweatshop-and-enscription-free t-shirt palace  released their latest ad, showcasing their American Apparel as a Second Language program. A nice turn towards good ol' fashioned PR after their plunge into madness the past few weeks with "Pocket Rocket" and "Old People." From the ad: “My sisters and I bought some sunglasses and new clothes and tried to pass ourselves off as American girls at the Mexican/American border” [American Apparel, founded on the backs of illegal immigrants? Nobody tell INS about this ad]...a small T-shirt stand that she ran on Venice Beach…was the first American Apparel store and the success of that tiny operation was one of the inspirations for our move to retail. [Also known as the "Venice Beach of Diamonds” story] We just found out that Spring is going to have a baby, and wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate her. [By mass distributing a really heinous picture] To us, she's a reflection of what Los Angeles is all about." Indeed. Supersize version.

H&M Replaces Kate Moss

Mariacarla Boscono will replace Kate Moss as the face of H&M. Perfecto. Here's an extensive collection of the Italian 22 year old's previous work, including this notable ukulele pic. Via apt via Agenda, Inc via The Evening Standard.

American Apparel Plays Hide the Quarter

At first glance, another American Apparel ad seeming to buck  tradition. They've improved, yes. Instead of showcasing barely legal porn in medias res, it's the beat just before the bass guitar kicks in. Iris is on her knees, glazed eyes, open mouth, between two cars in the parking lot... And the kicker in the copy!  "She keeps herself busy on those intercontinental flights with good books and a pocket rocket." [emphasis added, hyperlink added for the uninformed]. See also this one with octogenarians. In light of this recent joint, doesn't it seem like Boo and Bev are smirking at us all for giving a damn about how a sexual harassment lawsuit laden clothing don advertises his incredibly boring product? Yes, yes it does, the last line of this new one says, "Her current read is, "...How America's Lawsuit Culture Undermines our Freedom." Right... Either this is AA's way of digging back or someone is ad-hoaxing. I just pinged Alexandra Spunk, content advisor for AA's brand management team, so perhaps we shall  find out. Ad found on back cover of The L Magazine.

UPDATE: Spunt has still not responded to The Spunker's inquiries. Are they afraid of, or baffled by, the truth?

Daffys New Window Display

Display reads: "The last time Deb, Tanya and Jackie left Daffy's they were naked in the back of a truck." Click for bigger. Snapped in the Daffy's window on Broadway in the financial district. It is strange. I don't like it. It's part of an effort by Daffy's to appear more upscale than just, "Clothing Bargains for Millionaires." Two more here and here.