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Brian Lichtenberg is an American fashion designer[1][2] and founder-creator of the label Brian Lichtenberg, and thestreetwear brand BLTEE.[3]
Lichtenberg began designing in summer 2000.[3] His clothes are sold through specialty boutiques and top department stores in Los Angeles, London, Paris and Milan.[2]
In September 2013 he made his firstNew York Fashion Week presentation atPier 59 for his Spring-Summer 2014 collection.[4] His second presentation was held on 9 February 2014 at The Hub, inThe Hudson Hotel.[5]
In 2006, Lichtenberg designed the "BRIANEL No. 1"T-shirt, the first a line of T-shirts, sweatshirts and othersportswear garments bearinglogos that parodied those of major established brands such asChanel (Brianel),Balmain (Ballin), andHermès (Homiès).[6] They have been seen on celebrities such asMiley Cyrus.[7]
In 2013, Lichtenberg designed a line of sweatshirts similar to American football jerseys for the Los-Angeles based boutiqueKitson, but with the names of pharmaceutical drugs "Adderall", "Vicodin" and "Xanax" across the backs at shoulder level with a two-digit-number.[8] They were advertised with the slogan "Pop one on and you'll feel better, just what the doctor ordered", and were criticised for trivializing prescription drug abuse and mental illness.[8][9] The drug companies also threatened to sue unless the shirts were taken off the market, and thePartnership at Drugfree.org charity released a statement disassociating themselves from the line and refusing to accept any direct donations of funds raised through the shirt sales.[10][11]
Lichtenberg released a statement saying:
I have created a collection of t-shirts that are a parody of pop culture. This particular collection of prescription tee's is simply a commentary on what I see happening in our society. Call it what you may, but art in all forms is created off of pop culture and the social situations that surround it. A large percentage of Americans are prescribed these drugs by doctors everyday for legitimate reasons . These are not illegal substances. These tee's are not meant to encourage prescription drug abuse, but if they open the door to a much needed dialogue, as they seem to be doing now, then mission accomplished.[12]
Lichtenberg has worked closely with a number of singers and rappers on their performance attire. Among his best known designs areLady Gaga'scrime scene tape outfit for the music video toTelephone,[13] andKaty Perry'sscuba-inspired 'Freakum' dress from3OH!3'sStarstrukk video.[14] Hishologrammatic leggings became a signature stage look for the rapperM.I.A. at the time of her successful 2007 songPaper Planes. At one point M.I.A. was wearing his designs almost exclusively.[13] Other singers who have worked with him for their performance costumes includeBeyoncé andNicki Minaj,[13] and he countsKanye West,Peaches,Ciara,Yelle,Ke$ha andKeri Hilson among his clients.[14] His more mainstream designs, including one-shoulderedminidresses, have been worn by celebrities such asShakira,Paris Hilton andKim Kardashian.[13]
In September 2013, Lichtenberg filed a US$100 million lawsuit in Federal Court in Los Angeles against his brother Christopher and other parties, alleging trademark infringement, unfair competition and defamation among other claims.[15] In reporting on the lawsuit,Vanity Fair described Lichtenberg as "sort of like theWeird Al Yankovic of fashion designers".[16]