Also, if you like their blog, you'll love the online shelter magazine. The fall fashion issue just went live today!
10 September 2011
Lonny Love
Here are a couple of posts I contributed to the Lonny blog while interning there this summer. Enjoy!
Also, if you like their blog, you'll love the online shelter magazine. The fall fashion issue just went live today!
Also, if you like their blog, you'll love the online shelter magazine. The fall fashion issue just went live today!
09 September 2011
Karma is a Counterfeit
“It’s not new that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” said Roni Brunn. “In this case, imitation is an unintentional form of comedy."
Roni Brunn, creative director of Thursday Friday, was referring to the sale of counterfeit so-called Together Bags on eBay, which began after the company settled a lawsuit with Hermès International, who claimed that the Together Bag was infringing on the Birkin Bag's image.
I came across this WWD article about counterfeit bags. It caught my eye because we were just discussing this topic in my Apparel Quality Analysis class. I came across this same issue while in New York City this summer.
Near my office, in the heart of the garment district, I would always see people carrying huge plastic bags filled with counterfits and knockoffs. One day on my lunch break I saw a street vendor with Louis Vuitton's that looked so real, I was almost tempted to buy one. I stopped myself.
What is so tempting about counterfeits that keeps the business booming? After talking to several friends and classmates, I've gathered that the only real benefit is social status. Or at least an attempt at achieving a higher social rank than you can realistically afford.
The entire business of counterfeits is corrupt and illegal, which I don't think many people actually realize. Counterfeit bags are often smuggled into the country along with drugs and are essentially stealing from the companies which they are infringing upon.
This issue is so relevant-- not only to the apparel industry, but to all creative industries (music, film, art etc.)
In this case, it is somewhat ironic because Hermès International first claimed that Thursday Friday was infringing upon their bag. However, how often are the creative actually creators? Usually things are just recreated. Because there is often nothing concrete about creativity, it is such an abstract concept to copyright it.
Roni Brunn, creative director of Thursday Friday, was referring to the sale of counterfeit so-called Together Bags on eBay, which began after the company settled a lawsuit with Hermès International, who claimed that the Together Bag was infringing on the Birkin Bag's image.
I came across this WWD article about counterfeit bags. It caught my eye because we were just discussing this topic in my Apparel Quality Analysis class. I came across this same issue while in New York City this summer.
Near my office, in the heart of the garment district, I would always see people carrying huge plastic bags filled with counterfits and knockoffs. One day on my lunch break I saw a street vendor with Louis Vuitton's that looked so real, I was almost tempted to buy one. I stopped myself.
What is so tempting about counterfeits that keeps the business booming? After talking to several friends and classmates, I've gathered that the only real benefit is social status. Or at least an attempt at achieving a higher social rank than you can realistically afford.
The entire business of counterfeits is corrupt and illegal, which I don't think many people actually realize. Counterfeit bags are often smuggled into the country along with drugs and are essentially stealing from the companies which they are infringing upon.
This issue is so relevant-- not only to the apparel industry, but to all creative industries (music, film, art etc.)
In this case, it is somewhat ironic because Hermès International first claimed that Thursday Friday was infringing upon their bag. However, how often are the creative actually creators? Usually things are just recreated. Because there is often nothing concrete about creativity, it is such an abstract concept to copyright it.
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