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• January 8, 2009 3:16 PM
• News

Red Baiting: Saks' Commie-Inspired Campaign

By Gabriel Bell

In his "Front Row" column in today's Times Eric Wilson notes the cheeky, ironic, Communist-inspired marketing campaign now revolutionizing the image of the all-too-Capitalist Saks Fifth Avenue. Based on Soviet-Era propaganda posters, the ads, catalogs, and bags designed by street-art demigod Shepard Fairey feature imperative slogans ("WANT IT!", "ARM YOURSELF") that encourage costumers to pursue consumerism with the same zeal the Bolsheviks once encouraged Ukrainians to labor on collective farms. Somehow, this reminds us Barneys' " Peace-and-Love" campaign. As well, with their current 80% discounts, Saks may be entering a new era of socialized shopping in any case. (NYT)

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