As an avid snowboarder, I’ll be the first to admit that the sport and all of its participants have a pretty bad reputation. Ask any skier on the “ski only” slopes of Vail, Colorado, and they will most likely tell you that boarders are inconsiderate, dangerous, rude and obnoxious, as we zoom past them, nearly running into their 5-year-olds on ski-leashes. Thanks to Burton’s new line of boards, “Love,” featuring seventies Playboy models with a tagline of ”I’m on the market for someone who’s looking to score serious action, no matter where they like to stick it,” they can now call us perverted pigs too. To be quite honest, I though the line was pretty funny with a rather clever headline. But the most entertaining thing about these new Burton boards is the backlash from the public. Not only is Burlington City Council of Burlington, Vermont protesting the use of such boards, both Stowe Mountain and Killington Resorts have forbidden all employees from riding these boards. Protestors told Boston.com that the idea of a man standing on a naked woman is terribly offensive and that the proximity of these boards is too close to children (wouldn’t want a kids snowboard instructor teaching little Jimmy with one of these now would we?) And to put the cherry on top of the sundae, the Girl Scouts Council is even getting involved with the protesting! What, are they going to get a pin on their vest for protesting snowboards? Besides, we all know that some Girl Scouts sell more than thin mints when then go door to door…

Thanks NY Mag!

Diane Von Furstenberg

Levi’s

Burton Snowboards

Gap

Sphinx

Seiko

Royal Elastics

Loop

Paul Frank Industries

Bond No. 9

Barneys

I think it’s been made clear that the, often overrated, work of Andy Warhol is becoming widely used and revealed; however, until this stops, we’ll keep on telling you. Brands across the board refuse to stop the sale of designs featuring Warhol’s images; in fact, some designers are just joining the pack! What is this? The long list of designers and stores include Diane Von Furstenberg, Levi’s, Burton Snowboards, The Gap, Sphinx, Seiko, Royal Elastics, Loop, Paul Frank,  Bond No. 9 and Barney’s. Some of the designers are new to the Warhol scene; however, some just keep at it. Barney’s featured Warhol images in 2006 and recently they’ve swapped the images for “inspiration quotes” on Warhol’s behalf.

I’ve decided something: Commercial things really do stink. As soon as it becomes commercial for a mass market it really stinks.

- Andy Warhol