What Are Your Thoughts On Copies, Fakes and Knock-Offs?
Christian Louboutin Bianca Pumps in Green Suede
Steve Madden Caryssa Pumps in Taupe Suede
The say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but if I was a creative soul (which I am) and someone just jacked my design and made it low budget just to mass produce it–I wouldn’t be a happy sparkly little camper. It’s one of my peeves. The Steve Madden Caryssa Pumps are no doubt Christian Louboutin Bianca knock-offs sans the red sole. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Steve Madden Caryssa. They are a HOT shoe, but is there any wonder people are going crazy over a shoe that looks so much like a Christian Louboutin original?
Granted, I understand that it may not bother or affect everybody the same way, because bottom line is if you can get it for cheaper, why not, that’s why I’m opening up this discussion to get the dialog flowing. What are your thoughts on knock-offs? Should they exist? Should there be limits? Would your view be different if you made a living in the business that people were knocking off products in? I want to hear your thoughts in the comments section. Here is a quote from Steve Madden who they call the Knock Off King (Ouch!):
“We design shoes every day, and we are as creative as Prada. We are creating as much as the Pradas and the Chloés of the world. Do we make $900 shoes that are in Neiman Marcus? Have we made shoes just like that, which are less than $100 and have been great? Yes, we have. We’re out there creating and designing every day, making and building a meal for our customers. That creativity is not appreciated, and I would argue that what we do is harder. I could design an $800 shoe line; it’s easy. You use the best materials and you can make beautiful shoes. It’s easier than making great shoes for $90.”
For me knock-offs are like tracing the images of comic books. Someone else did the hard work and you just traced it and didn’t have to come up with an original thought. I don’t know. What do you think?
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First off…those shoes are SEXY!! But being a diva on a budget I have to say that I appreciate the knock offs! Although I do understand your arguement. I appreciate that Steve Madden emulated Christian Louboutin’s design for everyone who LOVED it but may not have been able to afford it.
It repulses me that anyone at Steve Madden could claim that that company is creative, implying that it does original design. Figuring out a cheap way to copy someone else’s design is a matter of dollars and sense, not creativity. Chinese factories do it all the time and no one praises them for their artistry. Call it what it is — a knockoff.
I like the real thing. It will be made with better materials and with more love (I tend to think) I appreciate the name too. In summary: If it’s a Diir & not a Dior, it will mean less to me. I’ll be like, well I saved money, but it won’t feel as special @ all.
For some reason or another, the knock off of shoes does not bother me nearly as much as the knock off of purses. Like Erica B stated, The knockoffs allow women that do not have $1200 to spend on a pair of shoes to have something similar for a fraction of the price. I myself do not always have the cash to splurge so the knockoff does the trick SOMETIMES! With that said maybe the high designers need to do more cameos in the more affordable stores like H&M and the like. It may cut down the knockoffs that the other stores are doing. Just my thoughts
I am very addicted to labels, I can admit that!
I personally like knowing I have the real design by a certain designer (Prada, Louboutin , Chloé , etc.) But when it comes to knockoffs, I’m torn. Yes, it is plagiarism. Yet, not everyone in our society can afford these designers. Knockoffs give “Frugal Fashionista’s” the chance to have the similar product for a much reasonable price. Currently, the life of a college student as taken a toll on my Fashionista budget. I have to compromise. I personally would rather pay $150 dollars for the Jeffrey Campbell Charlie Clogs than nearly $1200.00 for the Chanel ones. (Which look identical by the way)
I also see nothing wrong with the knockoffs. They enable the average woman to purchase shoes resemble the higher priced versions. I agree with Lady Spady about the high end designers needing to do more at the affordable stores. The average woman (like myself) would love to wear some of the designer clothes but we will never be able to afford them.
I think the shoe bothers me but definitely not as much as the purses too. But I still don’t think that a designer should knock off several shoes every season. Think up your own designs, if you are you in fact a shoe designer.
I have really thought about the answer to this post. Since I love finding a good sale, I am addicted to sample sites and other sites where I can get labels for less. Authenticity, for me, is a huge deal. I used to get knock off goods and it never made me feel as good as it does when I have the real thing. Therefore, I have come to this conclusion after a lot of thought.. Save your cash and hunt the good sample sales. Read the blogs, google on the ‘net, follow fashionista bloggers addicted to shoes, bags and jewelry and fashion. See if they will let you in on the good sales! Twitter and Facebook are great places to meet people and talk to them and get the inside on the sales. Do your work, save your pennies and since women are hunters and gatherers from the beginning, get in touch with your inner cave woman and hunt for your designer goodies! The sales are out there.. you have to find them!
No idea is original especially once it hits the public domain. It’s not like Steve Madden is turning out Louboutin-esque shoes with the Louboutin name written on it like the knock-off bags and wallets in Chinatown, NYC.I do think it is very difficult to make a beautiful, durable, comfortable shoes using less than high-quality products. Those who can afford the top brand will buy the top brand and be proud that they’re able to wear the top brand and the orginators of the trend. Those, like me, will buy the budget friendly knock-offs, imitations, suggestive ofs and feel happy to be part of the current fashion cycle.
Fakes vary from inspired pieces. If you are rocking a Gucci bag purchased from Canal, then yes, you are wearing a counterfeit piece. Stealing a logo and recreating it for a profit, which in turn takes from the prestige and profits of a label is wrong and illegal. However, inspired pieces are what this post is truly referring to. Most pieces are reinterpreted to be sold at lower price points. While this may not be acceptable, we are all guilty of happily participating in the purchase of knock offs. At this very moment, one of the designers my showroom represents (Trovata) is in dispute with Forever 21, because a piece they knocked off is a mirror image.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with recreating high end pieces, making them available to the general public. If that practice is banned, then H&M, Zara, Forever 21, Topshop, etc, will all go out of business, and we know we don’t want that. There is a fine line. Unfortunately, most companies ride it.
p.s. Oh yea, I saw a red bottomed shoe in Forever 21! They reign supreme when it comes to knock offs! xoxo
BTW I would never purchase a bootleg handbag, shoes, etc! I love my “Melrose” from the SS08 Chanel Cruise collection aka Coco with all my heart. The price is worth it to own authentic pieces. Exclusivity is priceless
xoxo
BrooklynShoeBabe are we talking bags or shoes in terms of original ideas?
Chocl8fashnista red bottom shoes in Forever 21? Yikes!
Pursuit of shoes did a post yesterday too on fakes and copies. She featured 2 Paris Hilton’s shoes that are blatant L.A.M.B. ripoffs. Does it matter if the shoes are cheaply made fakes as opposed to well made? I’m interested to know. Here’s the link to her post:
http://www.pursuitofshoes.com/2010/03/paris-hilton-shoes.html
I have to agree with Chocol8fashnista, the people who can afford the real thing will buy that, and the ones that can’t are obviously not the designers chosen demographic anyways. So if we budget conscious people can attain something similar that has been inspired by greatness, whats the harm. Everything out there is inspired by remixing and changing originals up to breed another “idea”. Like BrooklynShoebabe said it’s not like Steve Madden is labeling his stuff Christian Louboutin. But he’s on a ride with his statement, lets get real Steve your “inspired”.
Thats the difference between the handbag issue though, knock off handbags usually claim to be the actual real thing, going as far as to labels and create fake serial numbers for their items. Now thats too far.
There is nothing new under the sun, TRUST that LouB knocked off someone elses idea even if it’s a variation from another decade, fashion circles back. But for the record I like the real thing usually for the quality not the name.
I was almost reluctant to chime in on this issue because I”m SO passionate about it. I too , crave authenticity but am also acutely aware of my spending limitations- enter the world of the Sample Sale. I’ve been guilty of Gilt Groupe, Outed @ Outnet, entered the Rue so many times I use the revolving door and so it goes.. Inspired is a good thing- one get’s a fashion fwd. bit of fierce footery at a MUCH Lower Price Point.
I wanted the Givenchy peep-toe lace up boots last fall, but was in no way able to pony-up the $995.00 required AND justify it to myself. Enter Steve Madden @ $ 83.90 not his usual direct copy, but close..Enter Dolce Vita with elements of the Givenchy but w/ a personality all it’s own- $153.00 and sold. ” Inspred” gives a gracious nod to The Muse and injects something all it’s own. A copy is a copy is a copy AND a copy is not an original. Do I own some Steve Madden’s? Yes, I do, but nothing masquerading as something else.
P.S. I also have a shoe fund.. but that’s me xxoo
Oh honey I hear you and yes, I have a shoe fund too because it is necessary for something that you want when a knockoff won’t do.
I will not wear Steve Madden due to the blatant knock off’s–it’s not ‘inspired by’ it’s a direct copy on some of his shoes–in fact does anyone remember the controversy when a legit photo of the real deal was used in promotion of their crap knock off–disgusting.
To me, “knockoff” implies “counterfeit”, and counterfeiting is illegal. Designing a shoe that looks like a designer original but does not have an inauthentic identifying mark is barely a knockoff. It’s a very fine line, but a Steve Madden is not a Louboutin. Most legitimate manufacturers know how to stay on the legal side of the line and will not directly mimic a copyrighted design. Buying a Madden that looks like something Louboutin did 2 seasons ago is not a crime. Buying a fake Chanel or Rolex from a warehouse after being led on a circuitous route through NYC almost is, and the true counterfeiters should be shut down.
great comments…here are my humble thoughts… =)
i personally prefer the real thing…but that is just me…i do like the fact that for those that cannot afford a louboutin…but get the same look in a steve madden…well…is great…but…steve madden shouldn’t be making statements like “we are creative as prada” creative means…you thought it up on your own…not looked at a shoe and created the same for less…but at least “louboutin” is not marked on the shoe…
which takes me to my next point…
as far as fake bags…what i don’t appreciate is…a chanel fake bag…with the chanel name…or any other designer name…put a different name on it…it isn’t a chanel…but a “look-like” chanel…for less…
whether we like it or not…copying will always be around…at different price points…
i am still amazed when people will outright ask someone… is that real? seems a bit rude…but…that is just me… =)
Just when you thought I had nothing left to say…. I have to say to Elena..right- how
do people feel so comfortable asking you if something is real ?? Is it that they simply can’t tell? Is it a fishing expedition to see if it is something they can afford?
When’s the last time I heard ” Is that your baby? ” uh, never.
But : ” Is that your hair, is that fake, are those your lashes(?)” When did that become good form?? (inject the heaviest of sighs,here.)
And no I will not do a fake bag, and yes those are my lashes- bought and paid for- pleased to meet you..:)
apryle – my kind of girl…you made me laugh!
the thing is…i don’t flaunt what i have…i know what i love…and if i can afford it…i splurge…but i also have steve maddens…no one seems to ask me if those are “real”…
i won’t buy a fake bag…that is me…and for those that know that…and still feel the need to ask… (insert big roll of the eyes here…) i say…get a life…seriously…
i did have a rather er…unpleasant conversation with a woman when she was trying to convince me that the kate spade bag she bought at a wine festival for $60 was real…because the man had said it was…um…ok…
In my opinion it’s the “palming off” factor that makes the difference between acceptable and unacceptable knockoffs. If Madden were trying to pass off his cheap copies as genuine Louboutins (like those ripoff outfits in China), that would be wrong and also illegal. But I don’t see anything wrong with a cheap copy that doesn’t pretend to be a real Louboutin. And you can tell from the photo that the Madden shoes aren’t Louboutins: not just the lack of the signature red sole but the quality of the suede and the slight crudeness of the styling. If a young woman who doesn’t have a lot of money wants to spend $100 to achieve a Louboutin-esque look on a budget (that will look completely out of style next year), I don’t see anything wrong with that.
I myself would never wear Steve Madden shoes because they don’t fit very well and they always look a shade cheesy–they’re exaggerated versions of genuine designer shoes made with low-grade materials. I own two pairs of genuine Louboutins (about all I can afford), and although I bought them in 2007 and 2008 respectively, they’re so beautifully made and with such elegant lines that I get compliments on them every time I wear them. They’ll never go out of style. But if I were in my 20s on a tight budget, and I didn’t mind wearing shoes that hurt and that I’d have to throw out next year, I’d say: Why not Steve Madden?
I would never wear heels that high, even if I could afford them. But to the point, there’s no competition here. People who want and can afford Louboutins will never buy Steve Maddens, and people who can only afford Steve Maddens will never buy Louboutins, as a rule. So who cares? The style is only good for a few months anyway.
It’s kind of like costume jewelry versus the “real thing,” except less relevant.
Comment A:
I was at NY fashion week talking to a model, he told me that no matter what you do “inspiration designs” will always prevail because there are manufacturers in China who can promise STEVE MADDEN or XOXO similar designs of Christian Louboutin for a fraction of the cost.
Comment B:
I find that more often than not, when a garment is copied by multiple companies the design protection weakens greatly.
Comment C:
It is simple consumer economics to pay less for something that looks nice but is built poorly. So that with the left over money the consumer can buy more low quality (forever 21) clothing!
Well, I personally love the caryssa pumps from Steve Madden!!!! I ordered two pairs in the snake with gold and black…. I have no problem wearing heels that are a fraction of the cost of Louboutins. I don’t mind saving money for other things. Unfortunately, not everyone can come up with that type kind of money. So I love Steve Madden for making our lives so much simpler.
Ive just seen this post…and def had to comment!! I appreciate my designer gear and will pay good amounts of a signature look however for this topic i think steve madden has done a great job. I went in to louboutin to buy a pair of bianca i tried them on and walked around and as much as i fell in love with them, they werent as comfortable, i tried a pair of steve maddens caryssa black suede and omg they were sooooo comfortable and i didnt have to think twice whether to take them to the till, i danced all night in them and didnt feel a slight pull on my muscles or a sore on my foot. i was so impressed i bought x 3 pairs of caryssas…which would of been the price of one very uncomfortable pair of louboutins!…so sometimes its not always about the name. The quality of caryssa are very good, done very neat alot of people were asking me about them.
I think knockoffs are fine. if they’re cheaply made, I wouldn’t buy it, but if they’re good quality, it seems like a good option.
if the designer versions were at all affordable (and I mean affordable in a literal sense, not affordable as in cheap), then it’d be different, but with prices like $800 for a pair of shoes, it’s just not worth it.