Monday, November 10, 2008

Imitation = Flattery?

I just recieved the Nordstrom holiday catalog in the mail the other day and as I was flipping through the pages, I was stopped in my tracks by the spread for these Steve Madden boots/sandal booties.



Which also happen to come in a taupe suede as well. Why was I stopped? Not because I find them that good looking or eye-catching or even well made.





No, it was because they appear to be very poorly conceived and executed knock-offs of the Maison Martin Margiela sandal booties (worn here by Jane of Sea of Shoes)



She also has the tall boot version of these as well.



Here's a close up of the taupe verison.

These white ones were at eLuxury.


Of course the knock-offs (named Triumphh) were done by Steven Madden... the master of bad versions of good shoes.

11 comments:

Kristen said...

I have to disagree with you on this one. Those are not good shoes in either manifestation. Yuck.

Poochie said...

Kristen

I'm not sure I like the Margiela pair but I do think they were ripped off.

Poochie

Kristen said...

Oh no doubt about it those are ripped off, but I'm kind of surprised anyone would want the original, let alone the rip off.

Steve Madden is so weird sometimes.

Anonymous said...

i'm not surprised... sm has always done this.... the thing that gets me is not the knocking off, is that i've never had a pair of steve maddens that were very comfortable. as much as i love my steve madden grey suede booties, i cant walk one city block in them. it sucks.

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

I really like this style...and almost bought the STEVE MADDEN ones...but I wasn't convinced. I wish I knew someone who bought the madden ones and could tell me how comfortable they were and how they held up.


Jen Ramos
'100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards & More'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

WendyB said...

Steve Madden should go back to jail where he belongs!

Anonymous said...

I think it would be tough to prove that these are legit knockoffs - the heel is different, the strap across the foot is different, and so many designers have been coming out with these horrid toeless boots (not that it's possible to make the lovely Jane look anything but stunning, but they don't really flatter her, and you know that means cankle city for the rest of us). Let's just agree to stop the horrid toeless boots madness right now.

Poochie said...

Anon -

I'll agree to that! They are quite horrid and not coming in my house.

: )
Luv
Poochie

Kristen said...

Jennine - I totally know what you mean. I have the most gorgeous pair of SM green and silver brocade D'orsay pumps that are hands down the most uncomfortable shoes I have ever set foot (ha!) in. The one night I wore them out on the town I ended up in tears my feet hurt so much. I actually took them off and walked barefoot the 1/4 mile from the club we were at to the car because I couldn't handle them any longer. Now I only wear them for events where I won't be standing/walking for long periods of time. Which means I don't wear them much. But they really are gorgeous, although now that I think about it they've got to be knock offs.

Kristen said...

And also: Poochie - I didn't mean to come across as bitchy in my original comment as I think I did...it was a long morning. :(

Sorry!

Anonymous said...

To tell you the truth, I’m a flat shoe person, maybe that’s why I like a tall heel..for me it’s either go big or go home, haha.