In fashion, it often seems like a nonstop whirlwind of ideas. With such large amounts of creative output and common design tastes, it isn’t surprising that at some point a Forever 21 dress may become strangely resemblant of a Valentino gown. But when is the line between similarity and plagiarism crossed?
The Louis Vuitton “Speedy” bag, Burberry checked scarf, and nearly all quilted Chanel bags all share one thing in common: They have all become so widely counterfeited to the point where one cannot distinguish the real from the fake. The difference though, between the listed items and some of the newer pieces popping up in lower-end stores is the purpose of use.
It is the monogram of Louis Vuitton and the interlocked double C’s of Chanel that are seen on street corners of metropolitan cities and tourist locations around the world, ersatz copies, sold for a fraction of the cost for the real thing. “It has to do with status,” said Maja Robakiewicz, a Community student, “People know the logos and what they stand for, a status symbol, and they want to be associated as being of a certain level of affluence.”
Unlike the status pieces, in recent times pieces from runways have experienced a sort of trickle-down effect. In the recent FW08 collections, Creative Director Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton produced a critically acclaimed collection that featured sky-scraping platforms with unusual architecture with an inverted stair-like front and a separated heel. The American clothing retailer Bebe recent produced a line of curiously similar shoes that were also curiously named “France.” The Louis Vuitton’s will set you anywhere around $1,500 whereas the Bebe cost $179. This is not the only time it has happen either, Steve Madden with Balenciaga FW07, and Express with Prada Cruise 07 using the floral skirts.
In the economic state, some believe the more economical route is valid. “I think that having the option to have ‘runway inspired’ pieces, it’s a great thing to have, especially since most people don’t just have 1,000 dollars or more to blow on a pair of shoes,” said Sophie Tulip, a student. The argument also made on the opposite end of the spectrum is that the blatant copies produce by these lower-end brands steals the creative integrity of the designers. “I definitely do no approve of low-end labels stealing the looks from runways and reproducing watered down version for their own companies,” said Elisa Brown, a student and fashion designer, “The main issue I have with it is that the ideas are stolen. People certainly should have the right to have good design as an option, but at the expense of another designers own creation I think is unfair.”
The trickle down of luxury good has always existed in fashion, and probably will never cease, logically so, because perhaps with all of the diversity in audiences and target consumers, it just makes style accessible to for anyone, because every group will have some company willing to cater to it.
All photos via Racked.com
