Coming back for a call out - Imitation = Flattery? Atlantic-Pacific x Halogen edition

Eons ago (10 years!) in blog world, I called out an early influencer's collaboration "collection" as being a pieced together mishmash of design elements lifted from well-known and established brands' pieces.  And over the years I've tried to point out knock-offs in my "Imitation = Flattery?" series.

Sadly, this hasn't stopped even a decade on.

The latest, pretty egregious, set of products got me riled up enough to post.

I'm a big fan of Blair Eadie's style. I have no idea where she keeps it all and I'm sure the overwhelming majority is gifted to her but, I still like a lot of the same things she likes.   I just wouldn't have the nerve to take a bunch of high end designer pieces from my closet and then work with a company to dumb them down and mass produce them.

If you can tell me these aren't nearly straight lifts, I'd be astonished.

Blair has said she loves a printed furry coat, especially from Shrimps, which is know for these bold styles -

Here's the coat from the A-P x Halogen collection.

Taking shoe inspiration from others really sets me off. Here's Blair wearing Prada patent, stacked-platform oxfords a while back and a close up of a pair from that same collection.

And then there's the styles from her "designs"...

I might have become the most mad about the triple-bow tops and dresses because she's making so much of them on her site.  Well, here's the ASOS dress (top) the inspiration it came from.  I bought this dress too. A bit miffed to see it knocked-off as if the A-P versions (bottom) are totally new.

And last, but certainly not the least example, is the Prince of Wales plaid blazer with faux fur cuffs.   The collection version is cute with the pink for sure...

But I wonder how Fendi feels about being ripped off...

Pretty clear where the inspo came from, huh???

Her "collection" is filled with prints and tiered tulle skirts - very a la the pieces she wears from Red Valentino and Viktor and Rolf.  I  think its all very cute but I don't think intellectual property theft is a label I'd want to wear.

Atlantic-Pacific images sourced from:

https://the-atlantic-pacific.com/2016/07/13/colors-of-west-village/

 https://the-atlantic-pacific.com/2019/01/30/faux-fur-colored-suits/

https://the-atlantic-pacific.com/2017/08/11/feeling-fall-plaid-paris/

https://the-atlantic-pacific.com/2017/10/15/fendi-resort-veuve-clicquot-los-angeles/

Banana Republic is Stealing Shoe Designs

I know its been ages since I've posted but I had to come out of my semi-closed writing state to comment on what I think is pretty blatant shoe design theft going on over at Banana Republic.

Sure they are knocking off Stuart Weitzman's Nudist sandals like most other mid-tier brands but they are really not being subtle about these items. The top item in each pair is a current/recent Banana Republic shoe and the bottoms is the pretty obvious "inspiration" -

BR Honey vs Aquazzura Wild Things -

 BR Jasmine vs Alexandre Birman Lolita

BR Jackie vs Prada 2008

 

To me this is the worst one - BR Cadi vs Carven's bow slingbacks

 

Knocking off is not cool. You can have a unique shoe at any price point. You won't have any cute shoes if we keep supporting intellectual property theft.

It. Not. Cool.

Le Sigh - Prada Spring Summer 2013 Sandals

I don't need them but I sure do love them.  Even as Fall sets in, I still love these Prada heeled sandals.

Le Sigh, indeed.

A Few Views

A few recent shoe views to love:

RED Valentino

Jimmy Choo

Marc Jacobs

Prada

Miu Miu

We all need a bit of shoe fun for the day, right?

Wish I was a boy

It's not often that I say this, but looking at these sweet Prada monkstrap oxfords in deep violet,  I wish I could wear them.  I love the straps, color and distressing.  

There are 3 designs in this special collection from Prada for Bergdorf Goodman's 111th anniversary. I can't fit into them and they're not really my husband's style. So sad for me, because these are sharp!

Inspiration = Flattery? Prada Fall 2011 Mary Jane vs ModCloth Girl of my Dreams Heel

I don't typically do two posts on knock-offs in a row but today has been a day filled with them.

 From Jeffrey Campbell (right) straight up thievery from Simone Rocha (left) with their lucite heeled oxford wedges...

 and now this...

I was looking for neon heels when I came upon these Girl of my Dream heels via ModCloth.  And I was stopped in my tracks.  Not because of the bright neon orange color.

But because they are a straight lift from the Fall 2011 Prada RTW runway mary janes.

These mary janes were done as pumps and boots and sandals.  What made them distinctive was the wide strap, that large button and the curvy heel.  All combined to exaggerate the mary jane style and create a new design.  A design created by Prada and "leveraged" by Jeffrey Campbell.

I don't know why I'm surprised by Jeffrey Campbell or Steve Madden and their stealing of designs.  I scrolled through a page of JC's on Shopbop and it was nearly every shoe or boot.  They were almost all a lift from a more innovative talented company, just taken and tweaked ever so slightly.

I've said it before and I will continue to do so... this is intellectual property theft.  If you admire a designer and their work but you can't get it or can't afford it, do you really think it's better to dilute their work so they, eventually, can't continue to create or are you fine with someone coming along, dumbing their work down and mass producing it.

Do you support the artists or the thieves

Inspiration = Flattery? Prada Flame Wedge vs ModCloth All Fired Up Wedge

I was not surprised when I saw a flame related accessory on ModCloth today. I mean, with Hunger Games and Katniss as "The Girl on Fire" it's bound to happen.

But I was surprised to see a wedge with obvious (although poorly executed IMO) knocked off elements.

The Prada Spring/Summer 2012 collection was filled with fiery heels, especially the blazing wedge.  Sure the pair from ModCloth are chunkier and simpler but the shape of the straps and flames at the ankle are identical. 

Haven't we been here before ModCloth?  Ignorance of your buyers is not an excuse.  I mean, this is a major shoe for the S/S 2012 season.  Do your buyers just not follow the fashion news and world or are they actively looking for "inspired by" pieces?

I know some will argue that it's making a style available to more people, with just enough distance to not be a true knockoff. And that's probably true.  I still think it's too close.

Thoughts?



Flame on cobblestone image via Elle.

Taking a Concept Too Far

It's the end of January, so you know that means it's obviously time to look at lovely, airy, delicate Spring shoes. This year there are a few creations that have caught my eye but one in particular I want to discuss... the Prada Spring 2012 RTW 1950s car inspired sandals. 

Now, we know Miuccia loves a good "themed" heel (and so do I says the girl with the Miu Miu red teacup heels as her icon), but while some of the shoes in the past - dragonflies, candlesticks, flowers - have worked well transformed into shoes, I just don't think these are working for me. 

I do actually love the design of the heels.  I love the sweet toe strap and embellishment, the colors shown and the flame strap.  What takes it just that much too far is the addition of the Grease-esque tail lights on the heel.  I think its that the whimsy of small inspirations or details of larger icons work but try to pull down something big, like a car, and it looks ridiculous.

So, while I won't be buying the Prada, the family will still get my money because I'm totally smitten with the looks from Miu Miu's Resort collection.  Prada has the era's automotive icons but Miu Miu took the fashion... and turned it upside down.  The hemlines are shorter but the patterns are there.  The cardigans, pearls and frame bags echo the era in a fresh way.

But my eyes are all on the bow-bedecked gingham slingbacks.  I'm loving them so much I'm trying for two colors.  The fuchsia...

and the green...

The blue is lovely too and I saw an orange pair on the runway that I loved.  Hmmm.. would 4 pairs be too many???

I have my eyes on a scenic landscape patterned dress I need to get to pair with these.  Then I'll add a contrasting color cardigan and a wicker vintage purse.  Time for these pre-orders to come in and Spring to hurry up!

What Would You Pair?

I need some help!!!

Last year for my company Christmas party, I asked for your thoughts on two outfit options.   I ended up going with the poofy party dress and Manolos and had a splendid time.  Since you gave such good advice that time, what do you think I should do this year???
I am wearing a sequin sheath dress from JCrew topped with a tuxedo jacket. 

The sequins are patterned in green, cold and silver and there is a raw edged liner as you can see here.

I'm totally considering pairing this with my vintage top hat and the Kate Spade Night Owl bag. 

So here are four narrowed down shoe options I'm considering:

1. Alexander Wang Anais silver tassle pumps

2. Christian Louboutin Yo Yo Zeppa suede peep-toes

3. Manolo Blahnik Urbana Nappa Oro gold sandals

4. Christian Louboutin Lucifer

So what do you think???

I'm leaning towards the Louboutin peep-toes but am totally open to suggestions.  Some back-up options are:

Camilla Skovgaard Chastity Sandals...

Camilla Skovgaard London Pumps...

... or the Prada Endless Spat boots....

What say you????