As I was shopping yesterday, I came across something that always conjures up debate. Town Shoes is a store that sells shoes and bags, and they have a line called the Red Carpet Collection, which is basically a line that offers designer inspired pieces at cheaper prices (and cheaper quality). Sounds great, but I often find the resemblance to designer items too close for comfort:
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| Manolo Blahnik |
Now, to be fair, these are not fakes. They are merely close representations of the original. I myself do not understand the reason for buying fake designer items, and I think that if you're going to buy a fake, why not save up the money for a real one? I sure wouldn't feel comfortable wearing a fake, and pretending it's real. But again, the Red Carpet Collection pieces are not fakes.
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| Christian Louboutin |
But is that ok? The Red Carpet Collection may not be direct copies, but one look, and any fashionista knows where the inspiration came from. In my opinion, the Red Carpet Collection is just too obvious, although some pieces are slightly different:
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| Christian Louboutin |
"Inspired by" collections should have elements of the original, but be unique enough that it's not instantly recognizable, and that's where I think the Red Carpet Collection fails. And it's not just the Red Carpet Collection line:
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| Barbie by Town Shoes |
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| Prada |
There are handbags as well. The most common inspirations are Valentino, Fendi, and of course, Hermès:
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| Hermès |
Would you buy from the Red Carpet Collection? Personally, I never would, because I just can't stand seeing double.
Update: Unfortunately, a number of images from my original post are no longer available. I have tried to replicate the original post to the best of my abilities.
Image Source: Kijiji, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Christian Louboutin Lace, Giuseppe Zanotti, Prada, Fendi
Well i suppose that is what stores like Forever 21, H&M and even Zara do, so I actually don't really have a problem with it. Major designers charge extraordinary prices just for a name so I think things like this make fashion more accessible. But they kind of do resemble knock offs, which isn't as good at all.
ReplyDeleteI'd buy the 'interpretation' for price sake.
ReplyDeletewauuuw I.want.every.single.item.here :D
ReplyDeletelovely post!!
xxx
lifeisroyalty.blogspot.com
I don't think I would, But I shouldn't talk since I bought the knock-off Miu Mius from Forever 21...haha...but I would never buy a flat out fake...and these seem pretty close too...even more so than the forever 21 ones
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I don't have a problem with it. As long as the item is clearly labeled as a replica, and not a fake; I'm fine. Some items are just too expensive; buying something inspired by or replicated of an item we covet is merely a quick way for us to get star style on a frugalista budget!! :)
ReplyDelete"Seeing double" - I love that term you've coined.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of fakes either, but I guess they're necessary in this world. Because, you know, not THAT many people can afford $1000 shoes!
QUIRKYEXPLOSION.blogspot.com
I can see why ripping off someone else's design isn't really a good thing. At the same time, like many others here, there is the valid point that designer shoes are out of most of our price ranges. By the time I save up for a pair, they'll be out of season! :) I'm sure there is a happy middle ground that everyone could live with (i.e. using details "inspired" by another line and making it your own, vs. exact replica).
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I completely see where most of you are coming from. I too love stores that provide designer looks at affordable prices. It's just that this particular line resembles the originals too much for me to feel comfortable buying from it. I agree with Dana that there has to be a middle ground, and I think stores like H&M and Zara do just that. They have designer inspired pieces, but they also have their own unique aesthetic.
ReplyDeleteI'm of two minds on the issue. I agree that designer shoes can be out of many people's price range and it would be nice to be able to get the shoes you drool over and still have some cash left for food.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I would feel like a fraud if people were complimenting me on my shoes and I knew they were cheap copies.
I guess I agree with the idea that the shoes would be better if they were "inspired" by the designer shoes and not a perfect copy.
That's a tricky one...I would rather buy a real designer item but if I see one that's a good deal and it's not really a exact copy, then I'll buy it. xoxoxxooxo
ReplyDeleteYes I would.. cause I don't have a lot of money to buy the "real" one (I will afford it if I save my money for a couple years, I don't buy food and not going anywhere, haha!). if I'm a rich babe, of course I will buy the "real"
ReplyDeletebut rather buy the "fake" just because the label, I prefer buy from store (like Zara or H&M) I can afford it or local designers or made it by myself.. not copying but maybe have a little inspiration from all those fantastic designers..
like what Andy Warhol said " no one is original"
http://ladymitroz.blogspot.com
As long as the quality is half-decent then I'd buy them for sure xx
ReplyDeleteelles sont toutes jolies ces chaussures, j'adore, ainsi que les sacs, très belle sélection.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you...It's disgusting when the low-cost brands copy the ideas of the biggest fashion designers in the world. Because these processes have two effects: first of all the people think "why, for example, louboutin is so expensive when I find the same pair of shoes there at 100 dollars?" (but "there" copies the idea from Louboutin and so doesn't need to pay someone to have the idea of that shoes)
ReplyDeleteSecond the simple concept to copy the creativity is like diminish the creativity and develop a kind of crib that's not good for fashion and for life in general!
http://fashiondoesntexist.blogspot.com/
gosh, these look hot! if only i could afford them all, lol
ReplyDeleteGreat heels post my dear!:D
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
I would rather put my heart and soul (sole?!) into saving for the real thing.. I may not be realistic but the one designer item I have has a special quality for me...
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www.twitter.com/styleonthecouch
I think I would buy some, however you can completely tell the difference in quality. I think I would rather have a pair which were cheaper but higher quality and not completely ripping off someone else's design.
ReplyDeletexxx
http://www.theothersideofthepondmydear.blogspot.com
Loubutin ahhhh Thanks for the comment my dear! I like your blog!! We could be followers each other, what do you think?
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I think its ok for them to sell items inspired by the top end brands and allow people to access the same styles when otherwise they couldn't given the price tag. As you said, they are not fakes so I say no problem - time to shop!
ReplyDeletehttp://redumbrellachronicles.wordpress.com
Interesting post! I think I'd feel awkward wearing a replica? I see where you are coming from - they are really close to the originals!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, BTW :)
KF x
If i could find the similar one with red carpet i would, until I'm millioner i cant afford these nice stuff lol and anyway fashion is about our personality right?? love this post
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog
www.reserveradefashion.blogspot.com
All of the shoes are pretty minus the lace ones. I hate lace. You cannot make me buy something with lace in it. I used to be forced to wear dresses with lace when I was a child I grew up hating this fabric.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I am now following you.
I hate knock offs, now it's obvious that designer will inspire each-other and sometimes the same elements will appear in different collections but if they are nothing but a copy of the original with no personal touch what so ever I think it's just pathetic. I would rather buy a cute no-name shoe then a designer knock-off.
ReplyDeleteWow they're pretty similar. Hmm.. I'm on the fence. I try to buy the real thing as often as I can, but sometimes it sells out so you need to buy the next best alternative, or perhaps the price is overwhelmingly unrealistic ( ie A. McQueen boots I was soo close to buying :( )
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I don't think I would unless for some reason the inspired shoe actually looked better than the original. But because the similarities are so high, yet at the same time it's obvious that the cheaper shoe isn't the real thing - everyone who looks at you would basically know you're wearing a pseudo Louboutin or Manolo. It's worse with very iconic designs. The leopard heel is probably borderline ok, as is the lace, because plenty of shoes use that motif, but the first two are definitely no-no's.
ReplyDeleteI like the Louboutins and the Fendi bag in the last pic!
ReplyDeletere: thank you so much, your comment seriously just made my day :)
Hmm..it depend on your budget but if someone love a designer piece and you can have somethign similar for a small price I think go for it! Great topic for discussion and of course loving your post! Justyna xx
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Wow! Some great responses to my question! I totally agree with some of you that the lack of quality is too obvious here. For example, the Red Carpet Manolo's completely lack the elegance and grace achieved by the quality of the real Manolos.
ReplyDelete