We live in a time when things move at the speed of light, or faster! The world has shrank, and the old saying think globally, act locally is almost pointless. Everything we do ends up happening globally anyway. No industry feels this evolution more than the fashion world. Designers break budgets holding exclusive fashion shows in Paris, Milan, & New York - only to be copied within the week by online predators and garmento knock off artists. Those celebrity obsessed cheese-fest tabloid shows have legitimized the entire concept by featuring shameless copycats the week after the Oscars showcasing "their" version of a beautiful creation for slashed prices. Everyone knows that the rock bottom priced version is usually of lesser quality and construction - but gives the same Look for much less.
There are also some amazing companies providing great fashion with prices that will make you do a double take! You will think someone left off a zero or two! Zara - the Spanish titan of quality clothes for less is one of the best! H&M is always right on trend and just about disposable at the price points it retails at.
The latest phenom is all together different. Yesterday it was reported that Diane von Furstenberg has filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement against the mass market retailer Forever 21 for blatant copy of one of her latest little party dresses. DVF known by her logo or aka Mrs. Barry Diller is taking a bold stand here. Here's the rub. The DVF dress in question is made of 100% silk and manufactured in China. It retails for around $350. 
The Forever 21 dress is made of 100% silk and manufactured in China. It retails for around $35. Quite a difference huh? You see, the masters of design who have a
true talent in creating fashion for women should be outraged by shameless knockoffs by less talented sleazy businessmen profiting off of someone else's ideas. However, it seems that fashion companies outsourcing American jobs to China with the sole purpose of higher profits and cheaper costs sound a bit like sour grapes when someone is doing it better - at the same time providing great fashion to their target audience - young chic girls. After all, to quote an old saying that still holds true - When you sleep with dogs, you get fleas!
Is there a cutoff point when we don't feel protective of designs because of quality or location of manufacture?
I want to hear from you. What do you think? Where do you draw the line between a knock off or a cheap alternative?
Comments (3)
Those two dresses are so identical it is scary. I would love to turn them both inside out and compare the construction.
Posted by Erica B. | March 30, 2007 3:47 PM
Posted on March 30, 2007 15:47
I think it would be interesting if someone did a month long non-scientific study with a designer dress and its knock off, wearing it and washing it several times to see which is of better quality and durability.
DVF is a fabulous designer, but if she and Forever 21 are using duplicate materials and manufacturing them in duplicate locations, I have to wonder if there really is a difference between the quality of the two dresses. Ie. the extra zero is to pay for a brand name high end designer vs. the extra zero is for better quality.
Posted by Shannon | March 30, 2007 8:42 PM
Posted on March 30, 2007 20:42
Just goes to show you what advertising and marketing add to a dress's retail value! I guess Forever 21's advtng budget is a LOT smaller than DVF's. The manufacturer is probaly the same one in China.
Posted by R. Shaam | March 31, 2007 5:36 PM
Posted on March 31, 2007 17:36