Rock that Republic
ROCKANDREPUBLIC. [www.rockandrepublic.com]
WHO: Michael Bell, CEO and Designer, owned by Andrea Bernholtz
WHAT: Likely the most successful designer jeans brand in the world
WHERE: Sold in Retailers such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman, Aritzia, and Honey
WHEN: Founded in 2002
WHY: Because they Rock.
An esteemed brand, most famous among girls for their collaboration with VB Victoria Beckham signature crown pocket flare jean. This edgy rock/grunge-inspired brand is not only a luxury brand (www.eluxury.com and is sold only in fine denim retailers), but it is able to appeal to a wide demographic through its consistent appeal to celebrities and the average Joe and/or Jane.
The all-inclusive fashion line was created and is influenced by designer Michael Ball.
A biographical look:
Rebellious. Rambunctious. Rocker. Rider. Michael Ball is anything but your average CEO. Passionate and determined, strong willed and confident Michael launched Rock & Republic and in just four short years, has made it the most successful luxury denim brand in the world.
Michael grew up in Southern California. The child of divorced parents, he was always on the move, always in trouble, and always hustling to make a buck. With no real focus, he spent his time and money on fast cars, fast girls, and rock ‘n roll.Recognizing that Michael needed structure, his mother got him involved in sports. It proved to be the perfect place for him to channel his rebellious. Cycling became his sport of choice, and the key to adding structure, focus and direction to his life.
Cycling taught Michael team skills and the rewards of competition. But it was the bright colors and bold graphics of the team’s uniforms that inspired his sense of design. He taught himself the technique of sublimation, a highly technical process that digitally screen-prints fabric, and he began making all of the team’s race-day wear.
By the late ’80s, Michael was considered one of the fastest, smartest and most aggressive cyclists on the circuit. The avid athlete had discovered he had the stamina to succeed at any task he took on. Michael won the LA Tri-Sprint Series and then went on to the national track rankings where he conquered the Velodrome. But an unfortunate racing crash forced him to put his racing aspirations on hold.
Always the entrepreneur Michael approached Xerox with a business idea. The two forged a partnership called Xerox Colorgraphics, DS Division. Overnight it put the technology giant into the fashion business. Michael’s vision and technical skills built a successful financial model for the company but he was unchallenged creatively. His flare for fashion and affinity for rock music turned his thoughts from process to product and he one again started designing.Michael, never shy with his opinions, felt his girlfriend’s jeans didn’t properly flatter her figure. They didn’t hug her curves. They were tight where they should have been eased, and gapped where they should have been tight. They just didn’t show off her…assets. So, he decided to design a pair of jeans for her. Everywhere the couple went, people asked who designed the jeans, to which he always responded, I don’t know, but they sure rock!
Source: www.rockandrepublic.com
For sure I’m never wearing Rock & R jeans, I will NOT buy a Rock & Republic product until Mr. Ball cleans up his act…yea right..thats never happening!!HAHA!! What’s more likely is the company will go bankrupt from the all potential lawsuits from ex-lovers, ex-business partners,former including the newly arrived-to-LA Victoria Posh Spice Beckham. She really needs to step up to the plate. While it is obvious that she tried to cowardly duck out of her high horse attack against Michael Ball and Rock & Repulsive once serious criminal allegations against Ball made the national news earlier this year, she and her advisers now have to realize that the longer she keeps silent, the more of a co-conspirator she becomes herself. There is no way she was not aware of what was going on so blatantly during her tenure at Michael Ball office. The underaged fit model Mia Weier was fitting more the some denim. The screwed over little Mexican sewing shops. Coke to young models for sex. Ball’s ex Fernanda Romero set up in immigration and social security fraud. That was all acceptable to her as long as she believed she would profit too?? Once screwed over herself by Ball, she changed her tune, but not for long, cause the realization was sinking in fast
in her clever little head that soon she herself will have to explain embarrassing details to the media and that it will start to smell real bad in her corner. Say like rotten fish. Did Ball actually screw Pigtoria just for the money or also the other way? The answer to the Posh/Ball connection probably lies in the bed of the president of Rock&Repugnant, Andrea Bernholz. She(andrea) and Michael were lovers a few years back and Andrea’s new husband from England was the man who put the money into R&R to help them get to the next level. I hope Posh didn’t get busy with Michael Ball. That would be like bathing, gargling, and douching in the Hudson river.
I can’t believe that Victoria Beckham is taking the public humiliations from Michael Ball. It seems she is so embarrassed of her former partnership with this criminal arrangements that she takes his insults, rather then responding and making him pay her for what he owes!!. Now that Michael Ball is going down and his illegal activities are investigated, I wonder how much Victoria Beckham knew of all this all along…or maybe apart of?? Shouldn’t Victoria know how to kick Balls by now??
I heard he has a Small package anyways..he swears everyone wants to jump his bones..loser
CHECK THIS!!! Nicole Baros is SUEING MICHAEL BALL for SEXUAL HARRASSMENT!!!The claim was made on August 17 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Nicole Baros was hired in November 2006 as his personal assistant and since then Michael gradually flirted until he finally through himself on her to have SEX and when she denied he fired her. ASSHOLE!!!!!!!! MichaelBall is a scumbag..and has screwed over many women ..and celebrities such as Carmen Electra, Kate Winslet and Avril Lavigne.He’s just digging himself into a bigger shit hole with his present lawsuit. Whatever they say Michael ball has a smal 8===D he swears everyone wants to screw him…stupid ScrewBall!
From: http://www.tmz.com/2007/08/27/jeans-designer-accused-of-trying-to-get-in-pants/
Rock and Republic clothing’s CEO and lead designer, Michael Ball, is being sued by a former employee for sexual harassment.
TMZ obtained the lawsuit, filed August 17 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, that claims in November of 2006, Nicole Baros interviewed with Ball to be his personal assistant. During the five-minute interview, Baros alleges Ball asked her if she “had a boyfriend.” The lawsuit claims that during her first month of employment, Ball made unwanted sexual advances towards her, such as “touching her hair, and continually staring at Baros’ breasts and butt,” and one point told her he wanted to “sleep with her.”
The lawsuit also alleges at the company Christmas party Ball “cornered Baros in a room and attempted to kiss her … then proceeded to stick his hand down plaintiff’s pants.” Later that month, she says she went to Ball’s home to have him sign company checks and he answered the door in his underwear. She then says he chased her “around his apartment, grabbed her and threw her on his bed.”
In the end, Baros claims she was not selected to go to Fashion Week in New York City, and was “let go and was told that there was not enough work for her.”
Rock and Republic clothing has adorned the backsides of celebrities like Carmen Electra, Kate Winslet and Avril Lavigne.
A rep for the fashion line did not return our call for comment.
View the docs: http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_documents/0827_michael_ball_wm_01.pdf
‘Rock and Repulsive’ That’s gold! I wasn’t aware of all this controversy surrounding R&R, I think I’ll blog about it - thanks for the comments guys! I think I might have accidentally stumbled on something
I’ve worked in the LA denim bizz for 15 years and I remember when Michael Ball was bouncing checks on folks with his lil’ tshirt company in North Hollywood called Motor. He was a struggling actor turned “designer” slash tough guy. It was obvious then that he was a nutcase who had been fondled into madness as a child. Years later he was bangin anyone and everyone who would walk through the door at Rock & Repugnant. I can’t tell you how many sewing contractors and assorted vendors have been screwed by Michael Ball-beard. Thats right, he wears a beard of human balls on his chin. Hopefully justice will prevail. There are so many more sordid and sad stories to be told about these denim dirtbags that , were the truth known, only meth-head trannies would be wearing R&R jeans. It just makes me sad that Ballbeard has 20 luxury cars and the money came from cheating the contractors of L.A.. The worst part of this story is the sad fact that the fashion/denim business is plagued with these kind of people that folks admire because they have nice teeth or cars. It is not surprising that a guttermouth truckdriver like R&R president Andrea Bernholtz would claim poverty whilst raking in the loot. You reap what you sew! Says Ball: If you SWEAT in the SHOP, you have to LAUNDER!
I wonder what the conservative department stores that carry Rock & Republic product will say about the sexual harassment stuff going on inside this sleazy company? How can they endorse that?
Nicole Baros is only one of many. Others will likely come forward now. Shame on any department store who supports discrimination and sexual abuse at the work place!
There also is talk all over town that Ball’s ex, actress/model Fernanda Romero, is getting ready to finally slap Ball with her own huge lawsuit. Go girl! Ball psychologically traumatized her, and actually beat her, set her up in a fraudulent green card marriage with his friend Kent Ross and handed her a bunch of fake social security numbers, only to have leverage over her and prevent her from suing him for her well deserved half of the company that she helped building in the early years. She is the one who came up with the idea for the jeans, however Ball talks about her only as some anonymous piece of ass in his PR releases (see above in the blog).
Now that he lost that leverage over her and the shit has hit the fan when Fernanda Romero made the national news for her illegal marriage and social security scams, what would still prevent her from finally coming out with the truth and sue Ball for all her money?
And boy!! does she have some dirt on Ball!
THat man is disgusting..what a PIG! You know he actually beated Fernanda Romero and she still went through with that illegal green card marriage, what an idiot to put up with him too!
denimdetective, I love this insider stuff that you’re providing us with - keep it coming!
When are they putting him away for all these cases?!?!?
This is so funny! More and more people are realizing how horrible Rock & Republic is…..
Party girl Paris Hilton kicked off Monday night - which ended after 13 bottles of champagne - by “hosting” a charity event, though she wasn’t in a giving mood.
According to an insider, Hilton refused to be photographed at the Puck Building event with the AmFAR Rocks co-chairs from Rock & Republic, instead staying behind a velvet rope with her flack all night.
ROCK & REPUBLIC is going DOWN !!!
Michael Ball is a disgrace to the entire entertainment/fashion business!!!!!
People do crave SEX but for Michael to force all his female employees to open their legs just to make jokes about it and tell all the other employees who he fucked and who he fired because they didnt put out or they were lousey in the sack…WHAT AN A$$!!!!! If you read the court papers on TMZ.com he bragged about his ongoing sexual relations with ex-employee GRACE… the poor girl fell for his bullshit, got infected by him,lost her job, and now has been disGRACEd and must goto court and be embarrassed. Everyone should know of Michael Ball’s wrong doing and point the finger at him! And NOW Paris finally got the news on Michael Ball and is staying FAR away from him. “PARTY girl Paris Hilton kicked off Monday night - which ended after 13 bottles of champagne - by “hosting” a charity event.though she wasn’t in a giving mood. According to an insider, Hilton refused to be photographed at the Puck Building event with the co-chairs from Rock & Republic, instead staying behind a velvet rope with her flack all night.” She thought by doing this Charity event she’d seem like a more responsible Good person but actually WOKE up to realize MICHAEL BALL IS SCUM!!!! The Absolute DIRT OF THE WORLD!!!
mickey cheese ball from cock and republic is a total loser !!!
his jeans totally suck…
did he really try to rape his employees that are suing him for sexual harrassment… wow and people still support him… shame on them…
DOWN WITH COCK & REPUBLIC
Sound like every designer i’ve worked for.It just the biz.
that’s so hilarious - I’ve never heard so many variations of rock and republic as I have in this post - thanks for the responses!
You all seem to be a bunch of losers that don’t know shit about a wonderful man like Michael Ball. Stop hating just because he fuckin rocks and you don’t!
WOW…all this bad stuff on superstar MB is so shocking…explains the tattooed cheating neandrothal bozo riders on his signature cycling team…They are a real tribute to the rep of their sponsor.If any of them want a future in cycling they should get out now while they still can!
First of all!
Lauren must be either related or have been close, and i mean REALLY close to his tiny penis, to leave such a “passionate” statement!!!
Right Lauren?!?!
Second!
All that is know about this MONSTER is ACTUALLY TRUE!!!
And i know because i have been to his “office/building/damp” whatever you wanna call that terrible place!!
Not only, right now, he is in big financial troubles ( about time!!!)
but he hardly has anyone left there to “work” for him……..and i’m not surprised!!!
This man is pure EVIL!! He talks at people as if they were SLAVES and LOVES to humiliate them in front of anyone!
Lets not forget one thing here! It was thanks to Posh that this major ghetto loser got the little fame and money he so loves to blow away on blow and other crap…..oh yeah! like his vast collection of cars…….well shall i say more after all we all know how the say goes
‘big cars small……” Reality check? yeah! In this case it is so true!!!
Of course his jeans are TOTAL CRAP and one last thing!
I’m sorry but i just don’t understand why people buy his BAD QUALITY/FIT denim to this day? Are we<in this country at least, supporting RAPISTS south american like DICTATORS?????
With the economy the way it is now,no one in the right frame of mind should THROW away $ 350 (or whatever those ugly jeans cost) to support Mr. Ball CRIMINAL mind!!
Karma is a B@#*h and very soon it will turn on him ONCE AND FOR ALL!!
Michael Ball owes me thousands of dollars for work done by me for his crappy bike racing team. Of course he never paid me. I think i have heard every excuse under the sun, and now theyve stopped emailing me back. Dont ever work for this asshole - hes a con artist.
The worst part is, theres photos of me working for him on the rock racing website. What a scumbag.
there’s nothing juicier than fashion gossip - really and truly!
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