Great Example of "Copycat" or "Inspired By"?
[Gucci studded heel/Jefferey Campbell inspired studded heel]
When I heard Comme Des Garcons was doing a masstige collection for H&M a year back or so, I was estatic. When I saw the water-down frothy mess that gave to store fronts, I was crushed. Even more so when I found a flappity jacket, only in a size 6 (I'm an 8 in jackets)...the sin of masstige is everywhere nowadays. Examples being: Rodarte for Target, Vera for Kohl's,Ronson for JC Penney (ewww!), Alexander McQueen for Target (and million more that commited the fashion sin for Target I'm sure...)
Did it start with Issac Mizrahi in 2002 with the bedsheets and doggie squeak toys, I constantly wonder....
Anyways all in truth, I believe it started with HALSTON, and if you know anything about fashion, you know Halston.His long dress styles were copied constantly in the 1970's so he 'sold out' (as music lovers would say to a favorite band going mainstream) and started a licensing agreement with JC Penney to sell affordable clothing. The worst move in fashion history, til this day! With Halston's brand identified as worthless to the fashion world, now that ANYONE could afford his designs, people seemed to stray from the label, as well as JC Penney (now crowded with old white ladies that walk in the mall wee hours of the morning).
So hence, it all started. it hasn't about luxury for a while, and in this economy it still isn't! Consumers want to penny pinch-BECAUSE IT IS IN! Think about it, when was the last time you saw someone with a bag of high pedigree (plus high price tag)? As a trend watcher, I know it's all about the humble bag! so do you reader!!! I bet you're clutching your brown beaten strap-laden bag right now, huh?
Guess what? It's okay to save, it's ok to be economically smart, it's okay to walk to work instead of driving, and it's okay to splurge on basics and forget about the fantastic-your wallet will thank you when this recession is over!
I will admitt, designers are losing money due to the current state need-i-say (...economy?). But knockoff companies (yes, they have their own factories and businesses) are paying royalties to such brands like Chanel,LV,Gucci, and the ilk...for using the logo. So in all sense, the designers are being greedy towards their fans by not allowing them to wear replicas of such beauties trodding down the runway. I mean, who wants to wear diluted rodarte garments from target, it's not the designer's actual ideas, it's a product team finding cheaper material and still finding a way to gip the consumer. I know I sound like the business side of fashion, and less like the design perspective. but c'mon! fashion is a business, a vain one at that!
and for those of us that cannot afford the real thing, it's such a dream to own "inspired" pieces (no logo included).Anything to get closer to the brand's identity, makes us closer to fashion nirvana.
I'm not saying knockoffs are okay, making profit off of someone's designs-using their logo and everything, no creative minds required is WRONG!
but inspired pieces are free for all.to me.
oh and by the way. I love Jefferey Campbell.
:]
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Karl Lagerfeld hits up the beach in St.Tropez in full suit and tie. Leather gloves and heavy boots were of course a must for Karl ;]
(hey, i wear huge scarves & black nylons in the summer, i don't care!)
looooooooooove you Karl~
