Russian Teen Prodigy Kira Plastinina to close all U.S. Store

[Rightguard]

I thought I'd had my say on this, but then I came across these pictures, which bring a whole new dimension to light:

www.legitgov.org

Now, I'm not saying that the way the KP brand treated its workers is in any way justified, but emphasizing the Russian/American division is also wrong. Most Russians are very poor, and some would argue have also been robbed by Russian oligarchs like Plastinin. In any case an entire nation is not responsible for the stupidity of one family.

Most importantly, Americans practically invented the concept of global brands. How much of what we wear, eat, drive etc. is from the USA? Americans or citizens of any country sure wouldn't like it if people in other countries said, don't buy this because it's American (or such and such - any nation really). It's totally hypocritical and practically racist.

Nothing racist about it. The protester is just saying, "don't shop here because KP does not pay their employees and the money goes right back into his pocket". It is no different than when Americans protesed toys that where manufactured in China because they contained lead.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

I must emphasize again that I think the way the KP brand treated its workers is absolutely atrocious. But racism isn't always as extreme as hating another culture, race, nation etc., it's also about insinuating an "us against them" paradigm, which that sign does. For example, the vague "..any money you spend here goes to Russia." To whom in Russia? All of Russia? And then personalizing it with the "children of American workers".

Aren't we all dealing with the blow of the same recession? I support the protestors, but I don't like the discourse of that sign.

 

[loladonna]

I think if Plastin could pay Nicole Richie $150,000 for an appearance literally a couple of weeks before the stores shut down he could have mustered up the money to pay the workers. In any event Kira Plastinina will have a hard time ever coming back to the U.S. with such a shady reputation.

 

[Zposen]

Wow just a mess all around it seems... those poor workers and their family.

 

[breathetostay]

After her tacky promotions in Teen Vogue, I saw this coming. I've never liked her god awful clothing and "prodigy"? no,no,no,no,no.

 

[malaychic]

i think i saw her in ENews or daily ten being interviewed. when i saw the collection...i was like 'been there, seen that'!! boring & overpriced IMO. she should live in some more ages & learn the classiest way up the fashion ladder.

 

[lucy92]

they US operation of KP has officially filed for bankruptcy protection officially...that means that they may not have to pay their american creditors...

i'm glad but not for their creditors or workers...

 

[loladonna]

If she still has all these stores in other countries then KP is not broke. I wonder if their U.S. creditors can go after their foreign assests.

 

[x_roses_x]

I thought it was funny how she had a fashion show with loads of celebrities who came to the opening and talked about her but in the end it was a big flop. Her clothes did not look like she made them honestly..and with the profits she is making in Russia, opening stores in the US really sounded like just a money thing. Im not surprised they closed the shops.

 

[The_Ida]

I must emphasize again that I think the way the KP brand treated its workers is absolutely atrocious. But racism isn't always as extreme as hating another culture, race, nation etc., it's also about insinuating an "us against them" paradigm, which that sign does. For example, the vague "..any money you spend here goes to Russia." To whom in Russia? All of Russia? And then personalizing it with the "children of American workers".

Aren't we all dealing with the blow of the same recession? I support the protestors, but I don't like the discourse of that sign.

I do think you are right, and that's what America is known for, all this "US and them" shizzle. Sure, blame Russia, it was all Medvedev's idea, that's why they all voted for him Of course it's sad that Christmas is ruined for those kids, but the creditors should have investigated if it was profitable or not...it seems they didn't.

Leyla You are so right, without a business plan, you have nothing.

 

[Grunged]

kira plastinina bought a lot of advertorials in teen vogue. did anyone notice?

How could you not notice? they were in every single issue starting from the first of last year- maybe even before that. I found it quite odd how they were forcing the brand onto Teen Vogue readers like that, but now it all makes sense. It felt like they were shoving that tacky **** down our throats.

 

[masquerade]

I walked by one of the abandoned stores the other day and it really looked abandoned. The store was stripped of clothes, but everything else was still there, down to the clothes hangers. Its like they just walked out. Thats not normal for closed stores, is it?

 

[homeboy]

I used to follow over glamorized podcast. Her father is far from broke as I saw countless of paid celebs in her podcast like Danity Kane but most importantly Chris Brown who performed at her US launch party. She has killed her own image forever and have hurt the already poor reputation Russian billionaires have. Paying the workers is only a small fraction of what it cost to hire a superstar like Chris Brown.

 

[aldn]

I walked by one of the abandoned stores the other day and it really looked abandoned. The store was stripped of clothes, but everything else was still there, down to the clothes hangers. Its like they just walked out. Thats not normal for closed stores, is it?

It's not normal. The KP in santa monica still has clothes in the store... It's been closed for about 2 weeks now.

 

[MissyJG]

So I checked out her site. Man the clothes really are ugly! I can't believe they just tried to buy their way into it. For a businessman, this goes against everthing he knows! Hopefully everthing still works out for the employees.

 

[Zposen]

^ I don't think Audrina commands that much for endorsements, etc. I highly doubt she got paid 1/3 of what Nicole Richie did.

I first heard about this girl when she had her first fashion show and paid Paris Hilton $1 mil (supposedly) to attend. I get that her father is a billionaire, but he shouldn't be throwing away $$$ like that.

I can't imagine anyone over the age of 12 would purchase clothes from her line. I walked by her Soho store when I was in NYC and it was empty.

I just read today that Audrina was paid $150,000 to endorse her brand for whatever period of time.

 

[educo]

This doesn't surprise me AT ALL. Too many stores, too fast. PLUS if they did ANY market research they would know that Paris Hilton and the rest of the useless celebrities are DONE. If you're going to be putting serious money into the game realize that tackiness doesn't translate worldwide all the time.

 

[Vilela]

I'm so jealous of her even if her US stores close and her celebrities publicity failed she would always have daddy's money to support her.
Anyway. She had a fashion show at the Alta moda in Rome in 2008.
These are some of "her designs".

Source and the complete collection :http://servicios.laverdad.es/moda/romaaltacosturaverano08/kira1.html

 

[thunderstorm]

She is not even a designer and she is not a 'prodigy' a fortiori. She's just a little girl of a rich dad.

 

[MissyJG]

^true. it's sad that someone like her gets the opportunity instead of someone really talented... Her parents are such idiots. Even if you are a billionaire, it's such a dumb thing to do. Especially they way he/they did it. I like the boots but probably aren't even hers.