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Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for ‘knockoff’ furniture

Kim Kardashian’s oft-divisive interior design aesthetic is under new scrutiny. The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted “cheap knockoffs” of his furniture designs.The basis of the suit is a 2022 video Kardashian posted to YouTube, in which she gives a guided tour of the offices for her then-brand new makeup company, Skkn by Kim. (The video, which the suit alleged received some 3.7 million views, was seemingly made private following the lawsuit filing.)While touting her office’s minimalist design, Kardashian specifically praises a sleek, large-scale wooden table with a set of matching chairs that are perfectly sized to slide beneath — creating a piece resembling less a dining table and more a brutalist sculpture.An artist and sculptor, Judd was known for his minimalist designs emphasizing clean whole shapes and industrial materials. As they appear in the video, the table and its matching chairs in Kardashian’s office resemble Judd’s famous La Mansana Table and Chair 84 — pieces that have become iconic among furniture designers and collectors since they were first produced in 1982.／Remarkable Outdoor Li“These Donald Judd tables are really amazing and totally blend in with the seats,” Kardashian says, moving a chair out to show the camera.An artist and sculptor, Judd was known for his minimalist designs emphasizing clean whole shapes and industrial materials. As they appear in the video, the table and its matching chairs in Kardashian’s office resemble Judd’s famous La Mansana Table and Chair 84 — pieces that have become iconic among furniture designers and collectors since they were first produced in 1982. The Judd Foundation still manufactures and sells these designs, though they come at a cost: the table is priced at $90,000, while the chairs retail for $9,000 each.But Kardashian’s wares were not authentic pieces, the Judd Foundation wrote in the lawsuit filed Wednesday against both Kardashian and Clements Design, the interior design firm she worked with in designing the Skkn office space. (And even if they were, the foundation “categorically prohibits customers from using purchased Donald Judd furniture for marketing and promotional purposes,” it says in its court filing.)“These poor-quality imitations masquerading as authentic Donald Judd tables and chairs harm the Donald Judd brand,” the lawsuit argues. “Consumers will see the cheap knockoffs… and erroneously associate (the) low-grade pieces with the Donald Judd brand,” the lawsuit states.The foundation claimed it also offered to replace the counterfeit tables and chairs with authentic pieces at a discount if Kardashian issued a retraction and edited the video, the lawsuit claims.Representatives for Kardashian offered to promote the Judd Foundation in a social media post, which the foundation rejected, and also offered to issue a retraction in the video caption, but not remove the video, the lawsuit claims.／GoodFonRepresentatives for Kardashian offered to promote the Judd Foundation in a social media post, which the foundation rejected, and also offered to issue a retraction in the video caption, but not remove the video, the lawsuit claims.Kardashian did not respond to requests for comment from CNN.Judd, who died in 1994, was very selective about who was allowed to manufacture and carry his designs, paying particularly close attention to the quality of materials used. Only a few galleries and stores — like the MoMA Design store and the Salon 94 gallery, both in New York — are authorized to sell his furniture.

2024-07-01 09:00

Stay safe while hiking in the heat by following this advice from experts

With summer officially here, many people are excited to go hiking along their favorite local trails or tackle an out-of-town bucket-list hike. But before you grab your backpack and race out the door, hiking and safety officials urge caution.Temperatures are already soaring in many parts of the nation and around the world, and high heat has the potential to make any hike risky — and even deadly.Earlier in June, a young couple was rescued on a hiking trail in the California desert after running out of water and becoming dehydrated. The boyfriend was conscious during the rescue, but the girlfriend appeared unconscious, and medical officials referred to her “severe condition,” according to KTLA in Los Angeles.Others have not been as fortunate. Last year, a 14-year-old boy died while hiking with two family members in Texas’ Big Bend National Park. The temperature was 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius). In 2021, a couple, their 1-year-old child and their dog all died in California while hiking in Devil’s Gulch Valley on an extremely hot day. Experts said they likely perished from hyperthermia (an abnormally high body temperature) and dehydration.Despite these heat-related dangers, it’s possible to hit the trails safely when temperatures soar. Here’s how to do so, according to experts.／PxHereIn Phoenix, where more than 200 hikers are rescued every year — mostly due to hiking during the hottest part of the day — the city instituted a program to close certain trails when the heat reaches excessive levels.How to tackle hiking in the heatDespite these heat-related dangers, it’s possible to hit the trails safely when temperatures soar. Here’s how to do so, according to experts.Prepare for a hot hike ahead of timeWhether it’s hot or cool, you should be in reasonable shape before tackling any hike. If you’re planning a hilly, 5-mile trek, for example, make sure you’re able to hike 5 challenging miles before arriving at the trailhead.To prepare for heat, become acclimatized to hot weather. You can do so by taking short, easy hikes in warm weather, progressing up to longer, more difficult hikes in hot weather. If that’s not possible and you’re traveling to a hot locale for your hike, schedule the trek several days into the trip when your body will be more accustomed to the weather.It’s also good to know your sweat rate, said Dr. Floris Wardenaar, an assistant professor of nutrition at Arizona State University in Phoenix. Wardenaar, who studies the physiological aspect of hiking, recommended weighing yourself before and after several hikes, then comparing any weight loss with the amount of water you consumed during the hike.“Body mass loss is a good proxy marker of sweat loss,” Wardenaar said. “You shouldn’t lose more than 2% of your body weight on a hike.” If you’re losing more weight than that, you should be drinking more fluids.Load up on water and carry a water filterWater is essential for any hike, no matter the season — but it’s critical in hot weather. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the amount of water they’ll need.Hike in the morning, preferably on shady trails“The benefit of hiking earlier in the day versus later in the evening is that in the evening, the earth still holds heat from the day,” Wardenaar said. “It will radiate from the rocks, too.”A neck buff and hiking gloves are also a good idea, said Abe Christian, operations manager for the Florida Trail Association. The Florida Trail meanders more than 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) through the state, from Big Cypress Swamp on the southern tip of the peninsula to Fort Pickens in the panhandle.／StockSnap.ioIf possible, select a trail that winds through shady woods, along water or even in a cool canyon or cave. This way, should you struggle with the heat, you can find shade and water for cooling off.Wear light, loose clothing that covers most of your skinA long-sleeve shirt and pants might seem counterintuitive on a hot day, but they’ll prevent sunburn and stop your skin and body from heating up.A neck buff and hiking gloves are also a good idea, said Abe Christian, operations manager for the Florida Trail Association. The Florida Trail meanders more than 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) through the state, from Big Cypress Swamp on the southern tip of the peninsula to Fort Pickens in the panhandle.“There are plenty of places on the Florida Trail where the sun can beat you to death,” Christian said. “So you need to cover your skin as best as possible.”The buff can also double as a compress should the heat get to you. Just dip it in water and place on your head and neck.

2024-07-01 09:00

COVID-19 and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae to Peak in July

Taiwan is currently experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 alongside outbreaks of Mycoplasma and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Dr. Huang Li-min, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at National Taiwan University Hospital, predicts that the COVID-19 wave will peak in July, while the Mycoplasma outbreak could persist for another one to two months. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 623 new severe cases and 38 deaths, with severe cases and fatalities doubling from the previous week.Dr. Huang Li-min of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department at National Taiwan University Hospital (Image / Sourced from Chung Guang_Liu Pinxi)Dr. Huang noted that the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals is increasing, with a peak expected in July followed by a decline in August. In addition to COVID-19, RSV, Mycoplasma, and enterovirus are also circulating. Mycoplasma, which primarily affects children, has been spreading for four months and accounts for half of pneumonia cases, though no severe cases have been reported. RSV infects both adults and children, with older adults at higher risk for severe illness. While the current RSV outbreak is intensifying, severe cases remain few.Illustration of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (Image / Courtesy of motionelements Library)Regarding when the multiple viral and bacterial infections might subside, Dr. Huang stated that immune debt generally lasts for two years. He predicts that Taiwan will continue to be affected until the first half of 2025, with a return to normalcy expected in the latter half of 2025.

2024-06-27 09:00

COVID-19 and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae to Peak in July

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Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for ‘knockoff’ furniture

Stay safe while hiking in the heat by following this advice from experts

COVID-19 and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae to Peak in July