Fashionista reader Kathleen writes in with these super-ugly Steve Madden shoes.
"Definitely trying to be Balenciaga," she says.
Sure - unless they're definitely trying to be part of a Toys 'R Us ad on acid.
The "Bukled Bright Multi" shoe costs $99.95 which is about an eighth of what the Balenciaga lego shoes cost. They boast a four-inch heel and an e-commerce option.
Dignity and batteries not included.
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 9:24AM
this is the worst thing i have ever seen in my life wtf is wrong with those folks at steve madden????
posted by Laia
Apr 17, 2008 9:28AM
I guess better late than never?
They're also at Bakers (remember Bakers?) for like, 79.
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 9:31AM
wow, they didn't even bother to change the colors, yet they are 100 times worse. i think it's largely due to the heel shape.
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 9:39AM
wow, it's a disaster. that aside, i'm really sick of seeing balenciaga ripoffs. can't they do anything about it or do they just not care?
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 10:09AM
The Balenciaga shoes are ugly too. Both versions are disgusting.
posted by Softel
Apr 17, 2008 10:39AM
Yeah the heel and peep toe are a bad attempt at making this disaster look dainty. Really yucky. Eulgh! I'm looking forward to seeing someone wearing these just so I can give them a steady look over with a disapproving glare. Shame on anyone who actually purchases this!
posted by fay
Apr 17, 2008 10:42AM
I'm sick of seeing ripoffs period.
"Inspired by" is bareable, direct copying is just wrong. I cringe every time I see an awful MJ Stam copy walk past me (which happens a lot!)
posted by sillysara495
Apr 17, 2008 11:35AM
Steve Madden, I'm tired of you copying shoes. I refuse to purchase Steve Maddens because you so deliberately steal designs without even changing them a bit. And to copy these?
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 11:47AM
Yeah Yeah Yeah!
All of you say they're ugly. yet you wanna get them. YOU KNOW IT!!!
black perhaps?
posted by bastylefilegirl
Apr 17, 2008 12:05PM
Umm both versions are super FUG! What kills me about Steve Madden and thier versions of shoes is that for the most part the demographic of thier shoppers haven't even heard or seen any of the orginals.
Seriously the Steve Madden store near my job has patrons that are 14-23 who wear old navy ( which is across the street from said steve madden store) from head to toe and fauz van tennis shoes.
posted by Rockmantica
Apr 17, 2008 12:09PM
they actually did a pretty good job knocking it off/re-interpreting it for production.
Anyways, but with this one of a kind style, why would you want to wear a knock-off.
It's not a Balenciaga no matter what you try to tell yourself.
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 12:49PM
OMG Balenciaga shoes are faboluos and edgy...but those steve madden..... yuck.....they are an insult
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 2:20PM
I think they are made from the same manufacturer as baker's:
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 2:41PM
i think they are pretty. i get them. do you think they come in size 12?
posted by Halie
Apr 17, 2008 4:45PM
what makes the balenciaga any better?
just because it's designer doesn't mean that it doesn't look like shit.
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 6:33PM
as fugly as this creation is,bakers copy of ysl tribute gladiators isnt half bad
http://www.bakersshoes.com/product/bakers+womens+dress+shoes/bakers+womens+dress+sandals/aileen.do
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 6:37PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/10/13/amd_parker-purse.jpg
http://www.bakersshoes.com/product/bakers+womens+dress+shoes/new+arrivals/candice.do
they also have a copy of these shoes from satc.
posted by Fassion
Apr 17, 2008 6:43PM
I also think alot of the girls that will be wearing these to the club either won't know they're a knock-off of Balenciaga or would wear them because they saw the picture of Beyonce wearing the real ones (and still not know who the original designer is nor do they care).
posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 7:26PM
Frankly, the knockoff are no more ugly than the originals in this case. The Steven Madden ones are priced at what the style is worth, I say. Those things are ugly from Balenciaga (who's knocked off stuff too) and way too trendy to justify paying hundreds for unless you're super rich and/or just desperate to own the label.
Who really cares if they're knockoffs anyway? If you want the originals, go buy them.
posted by guest
Apr 18, 2008 12:18AM
if they were balenciaga you guys would be flipping out about how "genius' they are, but whatever
posted by guest
Apr 18, 2008 10:13AM
12:18- have to agree.
what really kills me on both is the treads. as if we're planning on doing some off road hiking in these nasty little things. They remind me of the fisher price roller-skates I had as a kid where you would slip your foot (shoe included) into the plastic casing and shuffle around.
posted by guest
Apr 18, 2008 5:57PM
i saw these the other day and thought of fashionista but i remembered that a bunch of people complained about too many 'adventures in copywrite' so i didn't send it in. my initial reaction was 'uggg' too, though. but then again, that was my reaction when i saw the balenciaga. i really hope this doesn't become a trend. can you imagine all those high school girls walking around in these?
posted by BlisterPlease
Apr 18, 2008 7:22PM
The Balenciagas scared me at first, but then I realized the genius of them. The Steve Madden rip-offs are just ugly, with no innovation whatsoever.
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posted by guest
Apr 17, 2008 9:17AM
OMG :O
is all i have to say