Comments on: Adventures in Copyrights: Getting Ripped Off Is Not a Luxury

By: elle

elle — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 05:07:57 +0000

I went to the S&B in Manhattan Mall the Friday after the clothes debuted (out of curiosity). I knew that it would be a line of basics, but I was very disappointed with the quality of most items – Old Navy stuff is made better. The pants did absolutely run very small, too.
I really wanted to buy something, anything, because I’m kind of obsessed with “high fashion for low prices” and try to get something from every Target/Go collection, so I wanted to participate in this, too.
Unfortunately, I walked away with nothing, even after trying on probably 20 things.
I understand the criticism of SJP from “fashion people,” because it does come off as a little condescending. But after seeing SJP on Oprah/Today Show/everywhere the week the clothes came out, I really think she sounds genuine and it just sounds like she wants to offer options – not be a savior to working-class women. I also think that the women the clothes are meant for, people who would never spend over $20 for a shirt, appreciate her effort.
I also don’t think SJP is trying to “stay famous” – I think her Sex&theCity legacy will be around for quite awhile
Sorry this comment is so late, I just feel strongly about this and wanted to add my opinion!
Thanks Faran, for this awesome blog-

By: Faran

Faran — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:31:45 +0000

Hi Kathryn,
Thanks for your response. It’s certainly well written, but it’s not as well thought out.
And now of course, I have to respond.
1. Not sure you can compare SJP’s line with Target’s. Why? Target’s clothes aren’t as safe. They truly acknowledge that fashion isn’t a luxury, by giving us interpretations of high fashion trends at a very low price.
There’s a reason the Proenza for Target bustier sold out in two seconds – because there was nothing else like it on the mass market.
2. If I thought fashion should be a rare and exclusive party, I’m not sure I’d have a blog. I’d have a juice diet, and a lot more discretion.
3. It’s not even about the clothes; it’s about the way SJP is marketing the clothes as some sort of charity offering to the middle class. SJP wants to stay famous, and she wants to stay rich – she doesn’t care about you, or whether you have anything to wear. She wants you to believe that until her, “normal” American women couldn’t dress themselves. a
That’s insulting to the millions of women who have admired her style, and used it as a crutch to give them the courage to find their own style. That was definitely me, I worshipped SJP in college and still admire her greatly as an actress.
There is no irony here, but it’s certainly sad.
4. Believe me, I have nothing against $11 shorts. I’m wearing a pair from Kohl’s right now.
xo F.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:16:26 +0000

I am late to this discussion, but I finally finished reading all of the commentary on the Cathy Horyn blog. And finally took the time to look at the clothes online.
Ultimately, they look as average as most of the Traget Go lines do, or the designer-white Gap from this summer, Madonna for H&M, on and on. So it can’t be just the clothes that are getting Faran all sorts of uptight. Instead, it must be:
1) She, like lots of *fashion* people, really do want fashion to be a rare and exclusive party, though they would never admit it.
2) She thought that SJP would design something more stylish for a more *acceptable* store.
3) The honest, simplicity of the line and the idea behind it are easy targets for criticism from ironic hipsters.
5)All of the above.
Your choice.

By: Winona

Winona — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:16:31 +0000

Wow. That’s a pretty blatant rip-off.

By: Spilled Tea

Spilled Tea — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:32:45 +0000

I don’t see what the big deal is about the knock-off. It’s not like SJP is the only one who does this. I think people r still pissed
off about her comment
about us in the blogosphere.

By: ae

ae — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:29:54 +0000

Unfun, SJP grew up on welfare w/o running water. Her family’s big break was when she finally made it on Broadway. To claim that she has no idea what people of less means may desire (sturdy practical clothing w/ a touch of pizzazz rather than a disposable wardrobe) may be a bit patronizing as well, no?

By: arcadia

arcadia — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:21:50 +0000

there are MANY corporations we all shop from with conservative/christian/right wing agendas…who here has shopped from Amazon.com? enough said….
i don’t think Bitten’s clothes run small, i think in her sanctimonius quest to be all things to all people she did away with “vanity sizing”.

By: jess

jess — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:53:32 +0000

skyscraping i agree 100%! what forever 21 does is EXACTLY that.
not to mention that a few years ago they were sued for unfair labor practices, wages, working conditions, etc. they settled out of court- but since they’re prices are relatively the same, i’d say they are still using the same type of labor.
i cannot believe what a backlash sjp is receiving either.
lucky for me i don’t want to buy anything from either of these companies/lines.

By: Jac

Jac — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:40:39 +0000

I noticed that thing on the F21 yellow bag too, but kind of ignored it. That’s interesting, I’ll have to go read up on it alittle bit. I think SJP def. comes off as a bit condescending, but I don’t think her intention with this line was what has come to pass. I think she thought she was doing something really cool, but it just came off as cheap. Also, when something is revolutionary, I can see the problems with copyrighting. But this bag is really simple and lacks innovation, so I can’t really knock her.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:37:06 +0000

Wow Lisa, so what? Your critical thinking skills are right up there with the way you spelled “u”.

By: lisa

lisa — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:35:06 +0000

let’s just admit that some people here would criticize sjp no matter what she did. expecting her to fill some kind of gap in fashion is a little absurd. she’s offering a line of clothing, as ugly and plain as u may think it is, that is economical. she’s offering basics and wardrobe staples, and if she truly were appealing to those with a lesser budget, why would she try to make her line trendy? the point of trendiness is that it’s only wearable for a given time so why create clothes that come with an expiration date if you’re trying to appeal to the customer who can’t afford to switch out their wardrobes every season? sure, sjp will make an enormous sum of money from this. so what?

By: behindbigglasses

behindbigglasses — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 22:22:22 +0000

anonymous – that’s awful about the bad quality of anna corinna bags – I’ve wanted to buy one for maybe a year-and-a-half but never settled on the size and never seemed to pinch enough pennies to save up.
Still, with all the hoo-haa-braa of sjp’s proclamations on her line, I’m not sold. And I agree it’s pretty crap to take advantage of emerging designers – if fashion is supposed to be a right, she should have come up with something her own, instead of acting right-eous. Oh the pun~

By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:30:46 +0000

Two of the purses/totes SJP’s Bitten offers are nearly exact replicas of two bags offered at Gap last summer. I mean, nearly exact. Gap probably knocked them off from somewhere else, but still, I wish SJP and Steve and Barry’s had thought of something new. As someone from “the sticks” who admires the characters she and Patricia Field created through the clothing, I would like something a little more cutting-edge, a bit less torn from the pages of another designer. F21 already does enough cheap knock-offs. I want cheap, new stuff!
I have been so underwhelmed by the Steve and Barry’s line for SJP. I think she has made a huge misstake.
And the line does run incredibly small! I’m normally an XS and purchased a medium t-shirt. I guarantee no girl over size 16 could actually wear any Bitten.

By: astrid

astrid — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:14:59 +0000

printing john 3:16 on the bottom of a bag is hardly evidence of an “ultra christian agenda.” in&out does it too. some people are christian. some of those christians own businesses. big whoop.
the difference: F21′s owners aren’t claiming that your patronage at their store will save your poor, misinformed soul.

By: seltzer

seltzer — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:39:09 +0000

dk, the clothes seem worthy of derision because the designs arent anything new.
future landfill fodder, if you ask me.