Stylish with Substance

This week, Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday is about copying and knockoffs in fashion. If you've read my blogs for a long time, you may know that I am dead set against illegal counterfeits. The gray area for many might come in the form of "fast fashion" and cheap thrill clothes, a la Forever 21 et al. I love a gorgeous-looking item that I can actually afford, so when there's no faux label or logo-esque detail, I'm happy to buy, yet I'm still shaky on lookalike purses and sometimes shoes. I think the styles can get too close to that line that takes fashion from cheap price tag to cheap woman.

Anyway, on to the questions!

Q1. 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.

A: I love to be able to afford things (duh), and as long as that above-mentioned line is not crossed, I'm happy, so I'm mostly on the side of the first statement. Perhaps even "fast fashion" cheap "couture" takes money from designers, but also recessionistas probably can't afford designer clothes right now anyway. Some of it is about being able to look almost equally beautiful. Even with couture-inspired bargain pieces, when compared to things at, say, Neiman Marcus, there is a huge difference, so I wouldn't fret the "stealing" aspect with clothes. With bags, it's a cheaper look, and why go there when the pleather will just tear fast, anyway? Consumers there don't get a lot for their lesser bucks, and they may still turn into designer customers when they are able to. Buying into the plastic purses might even be an education, later allowing a more-endowed, more mature woman to become a  great target for those life-lasting bags.

Q2. 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?

A: It sounds like this is just inspiration and the designs are altered for today's woman, and I think that's great. How else can many of us find some great "Mad Men" inspiratons? For whatever reasons, many of us don't often or just don't buy vintage; so the existence of vintage-inspired, why not? Trends cycle anyway, and sometimes decades long ago come back. How else is this going to happen? It's natural and even desired; I think it should happen.

Q3. Would you buy an item that is a very well done copy of a runway garment if it fell within your budget?

A: Oh yeah, especially clothes. I'm sure I've done it. I just got this amazing bolero that is very "couture" and I'm sure it fits this category. (Left: Charlotte Russe, $40)

Q4. 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?

A: I've already written about the possibility of a fashion copyright law in the US. Some in the small business side of the fashion industry are against it, but as one who would like to become a part of  that, I'm all for it. Even though the copyright process takes money, we must consider how large companies (more like mass market companies, not high end) rip off independent / hand-making label designs. The consumer is rarely aware this is not original. I'm on the side thinking this should stop, and it doesn't necessarily have to come with prohibitive price tags.

Q5.  Own up… share the things in your closet that are knock offs. You know those things you got in China Town, on the streets of New York, or where ever.

A: Real knock-offs? Don't have any. I've only mistakenly purchased two or maybe three from eBay, but I certainly didn't keep, carry or -god forbid- re-sell them. That's me. ;-)

Takeaway: Even though copying has a gray area, that does not mean that "Goach" bags, etc., are okay. Things near the borderline are tacky, and you should stay classy, and you'll be on the side of stylish.

Also remember that if you want to impress, cheap copies will not make you look rich to those in-the-know. Buy things you love and can afford, not cheap things that look like things you love but cannot afford. Try investing in your own career, and hope for the future!