On his site, Strange said he studied as a graphic designer and art director before getting into directing.

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As for farming out a site's design, first make sure the designer truly understands your business--that is, if you're serious about separating customers from their money.

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And the love goes both ways: This year Google launched a fashion site, and former YouTube CEO Chad Hurley became a fashion designer.

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Yet some 10, 000 snowboarding fans, typically a group too elusive for marketers, at times have spent up to nine hours on Sikko's site discussing their hobbies and buying habits and rating skins created by designer pros.

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Jewelry designer Alexis Bittar will donate 100% of the proceeds from his site this week to the Catholic Relief Fund, as well as all of the proceeds from his store sales on Thursday.

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These days Zhao wears designer knitwear and Italian brogues, a taste of the fancy imported fashion sold on his e-commerce site, Shangpin.

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