Design Dish: Sex sells. Armani Exchange. Big whoop.

Armani Exchange, the fashion brand best at putting its name on everything, has now figured out how to capitalize off of today's hot topic--same sex relations. The brand's latest campaign, titled 'Share the Love,' features a trifecta of man-on-man, woman-on-woman, and good ole hetero action. And considering that each couple shares a participant in common, one might say that the ad also implies a good ole partner swap.

Of course, some people are angry. Because some people are always angry. About something or other. The American Family Association's OneMillionMoms.com wants to clean up the 'filth' and [blah blah blah, whatever]. Well, OneMillionMoms--I have this to say to you. A) You should be happy--Armani features the hetero couple in the most contrasting photo of the three. The brand's clearly not as daring as you'd like them out to be. B) The couples aren't actually engaging in anything more than a brush-by. I saw more action at your church last Sunday. And C) Have you seen the other filth that's out there?! Hanna Montana is as straight as an arrow and as slutty as a sexpot. Go take her poster off your kids' wall before you take stabs at Armani Exchange. That brand's got enough to worry about without your yammering.

[via New York Magazine]

The personal lives of public figures.

The biggest news stories of this week have included Tiger Woods' 'transgressions' [for which he has now publicly apologized to his family]. And the coming out of 'Family Ties' actress Meredith Baxter. Both items made headlines on the front pages of national newspapers. Both have nearly overshadowed Obama's announcement that more troops will be sent to Afghanistan. Both are none of our goddamn business.

And I simply cannot figure out why we care. Husbands cheat on their wives not infrequently. Women over 60 come out of the closet...well, maybe not as often. Don't the members of the American population have their own problems and occasions to deal with? If not, I'd like to suggest needlepoint, or perhaps Mah Jong, as a more productive hobby than celebrity gossip.

[Image Credits: Tiger - Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press; Meredith - Drew/AP]

Victory and Pride. Apparently in LA.

Today was an LA kind of day. Almost every resident within the county was celebrating something--whether it be gay pride, the Lakers' big win, or the sun finally showing its face through the recent curtain of June gloom. But somehow, I missed it all--the parading drag queens, the rioting fans in gold and purple--I managed to outrun the excitement. Somehow I made it through my day with nary a homosexual or sports fan in sight. And I feel like I missed out. Like somehow a city that's so big, a resident could escape all the action, isn't a city at all.

But yet I'm a resident here. I'm nearing my fourth year, in my second car, and about to sign a lease on a third apartment. There's no longer any denying that I'm an Angeleno. Forever or just for another year, for good or bad--I'm here and I may as well embrace it. So, huge congrats to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. March on, ye drag queens, fabulous gays, and straight girls of West Hollywood. Next time, just remind me to join the party.

[Photo Credits: LA Times]