Friend Friday - Copying in the Fashion Industry
Friday, September 3, 2010 at 10:39AM | in Fashion, Friend Friday It's Friend Friday again as hosted by Modly Chic. The topic this week: Copying in the Fashion Industry (readers, please answer the questions in the comment section, I’d love to see what your responses are!)
1. Which side do you take… Copycat designs are a way for the average consumer to stay current and wear runway styles without breaking the bank OR Copycat designs take business from the designer and cheapen the value of their work. Explain.
-I'm on the "Copycat designs are a way for the average consumer to stay current and wear runway styles without breaking the bank" side of things because most of the stuff that designers make are pure fantasy level for the average budget for most people. I don't feel that it takes away from their bottomlines because honestly the people who would buy the look-a-likes at the mall wouldn't be the ones buying the $2,000 pair of pants anyway! Not like they are opting out of buying the $2,000 pants to instead buy the $150 pair, they would have never been able to buy them anyhow. The people who can buy the designer goods continue to buy the designer goods.
2. Sometimes we do things, even if they are unethical or illegal (downloading music for free, watching full movies on YouTube). Do you think it is unethical for a designer to copy a vintage piece, make it current and sell it?
- I feel that they should get inspiration from pieces and make it their own but they aren't much of a "designer" if they simply copy something as closely as they can and resell it. I'd think that line was very lazy and probably untalented! But if it takes a piece and updates it for the modern world, I'm all for it, it's a totally new piece at that point.
3. Would you buy an items that is a very well done copy of a runway garment if it fell within your budget?
- Yup, I surely would. I won't be able to pay $1000+ for any one item of clothing anytime soon, so why not? I'm not the designers target audience anyway. For things like movies, they are affordable so it's more of an ethical dilemma because most people can afford the items, just don't want to actually pay for them. With the astronomically priced designer goods, people WOULD buy the luxe pieces and just can't afford them so it has a different feel for me.
4. According to the fashion laws, at least in the US, apparel design is seen as too utilitarian to qualify for copyright protection. Would you think this is detrimental to the industry or beneficial. (Check out this video on The Taxonomy of My Wardrobe to get a better idea of this concept: http://taxonomyofmywardrobe.blogspot.com/2010/08/fashion-and-copyright-laws.html)
-I don't think that it's all that detrimental because it falls into different price points. Those who want and can afford the high quality, good material originals will do so and others can look good in a knock off version that they can actually purchase. If it's something totally distinctive, like an iconic logo, then I feel that they should be able to copyright that and fight the knockoffs trying to pretend to pass it off as them, but as for the design of a garmet, most look-a-like outfits aren't exactly the same as the original anyway.
5. Own up… share the things in your closet that is a knock off. You know those things you got in China Town, on the streets of New York, or where ever.
-I received a knock-off Louis Vuitton bag as a gift and it's cute so I wear it. I used to do the knock-offs thing more a couple of years ago but now tend to just buy items that I can afford such as Jessica Simpson handbags or the occasional Coach bag. Now that work is a bit more consistent, I'll be able to support some of my favorite designers, paying it forward if you will ;)
What are your thoughts on designer knockoffs and copyright protection for designers? How would you answer the above questions?
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Reader Comments (3)
It's definitely a fine line. I think inspiration is a good thing, but copies just come across as unoriginal and tacky.
Unfortunately many designers aren't designing for every day people - so there is definitely a market for affordable alternatives.
1. I think that it is good for designers to also sell affordable but quality clothing, accessories, shoes from their line for the average and majority population to afford them. It does not lessen in any way their standards or to lose consumers. Most people aren't able to afford high fashion and also regarding sizes. If they only want to sell copycat designs, they should also be open to other sizes instead of petite XS to regular 14. One has to also keep in my mind there are people of all shapes and height. So I support the idea for them to create copy cat designs from the runway to be sold at an affordable price.
2. With anything we thrive on inspiration and admire certain people, art, music, culture, writing, etc. I do think that designers should always be original because this will set the name for them in the world. It's often hard to do because a lot of styles are being repeated from early genres but a taste of their own is added to it. I personally love vintage. Vintage should inspire the designer to keep the admiration but make it something to say about them and how they look at fashion.
3. I think I would. Lot of DIY out there to create your own look and patterned from something. It would have to be something that I would love and not feel like I am risking to just have it. Lets be honest some people will buy and only wear it once or twice. Then it's in the back of their closet. My style is very mixed. I like going to vintage stores and digging through stuff as well going to retail for a certain look.
4. I have a good example of this as my answer. My older brother bought a designed crew neck sweater (green and blue pattern) from the GAP, I saw the same exact sweater with different label sold in Walmart. O_o But at a lower price. It shows that you can go and find the exact replica, pay less of the price. I don't think that it harms the fashion industry. The mainstream fashion will remain so but with a touch of step up like you see with regular retail. High fashion will stay in its own industry. Some boutiques will not even sell if a person do not even look like they can afford. I mean lets talk about images and impressions that they want their consumers (target people) to be.
5. I don't like to really represent the knockoffs but I will to some degree. I would buy knock off D & G (Dolce & Gabbana) sunglasses. As for purses, I have not bought any knock offs. I tend to go to affordable retail anyhow for them or just support the designer with my own money. You do have retail stores who will sell these designers lines like Jessica Simpson at a much affordable price. I am not sure if this counts. I think the glasses are it. I bargain when I shop. I don't pay for it unless I can afford it still at a clearance or bargain sale.
Great answers both of you. I'm all about a clearance sale too, can attempt to add some designer goods at an affordable price. Knock off sunglasses are so convenient because then you don't have to worry about breaking or losing them, can just replace. I don't see why some plastic would cost $300+ anyway! I can see if they are bejeweled with swaroski crystals or jewels! I have one really expensive pair of Chanel glasses but they were a gift. I'd rather shell out for a leather handbag than sunglasses.