Adventures in Copyright: Ruffle Me This

Aug 22, 2008 @ 11:51am

steve madden and loeffler randall.jpg You guys have a soft spot for knock-offs when the designer being copied doesn't enjoy the world dominance of say, Marc - so this should get you riled up.

Steve Madden's ripped off Loeffler Randall's Bianca Flat just a year after ripping off their beloved Kit boot.

The Brooklyn label made the slightly wedged, pointed toe flat last season in patent, snake skin and a sandal version.

It's available for pre-order on Steve Madden's site now. He threw in a few more ruffles on top of the toe and made it in a couple of extra colors - but we're on to him.

Also, does Steve Madden really get away with selling $200 dollar shoes under the Steve Madden label? And, do people really pre-order them?

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 12:03PM

I don't like Steve Madden shoes. The quality and fit sucks.

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 12:12PM

Agreed #1. Not to sounds dated, but does anyone rememer when Steve Madden was all white platform sneakers and inexpensive fun shoes? They were my favorite dress up shoe store in middle school, now the random occasions I walk in there I laugh at the prices.

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 12:30PM

What is so distinctive about the
Loeffler Randall's flat anyway??????

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 12:32PM

Can i get a male guest image? comment 3

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 12:47PM

steve madden and chinese laundry were so awesome around the turn of the century.

his flat isn't a knockoff though, there are recognizable differences. not every tan flat with some kind of accoutrement on the toe sold after the loeffler randall flat is a ripoff.

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 12:50PM

oh fashionista, they look nothing alike!

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 12:57PM

Can i get a male guest image? comment 3

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 1:15PM

I have bought many pairs of LR shoes and they all were made badly, had a poor fit and didn't hold up. Their line for Target was actually better/longer lasting thantheir $300+ shoes. As for Steve Madden, some of his shoes are totally ridiculous, however I have to say they aren't totally uncomfortable, and they are a decent price point PLUS they are always on sale at Lord & Taylor or Macy's or Bloomies..... so......a much better deal.

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 1:39PM

umm, i doubt anyone who buys those steve madden shoes even knows they're knockoffs--or even heard of loeffler randall.

posted by bastylefilegirl

Aug 22, 2008 1:40PM

Ummm decorated flats are nothing to get all tiffy over. There is nothing ground braking about a flat with what looks to be a shoe clip in the front? If you ask me both companies ripped of the 1980's shoe clip but this is not a true adventures in copyright sorry!

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 1:42PM

comment 8- I agree! I own a pair of basic LR pumps and I think they are really comfortable, but after 5 months the nail in the stilleto was hanging out! The sole is coming apart and I am fairly disappointed in the quality. I would probably buy another pair, but only on sale so I am not disappointed when they fall apart.

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 1:48PM

(guest 11) I should add... I only wear them about once a week at most and when I do I am sitting in an office all day...

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 2:05PM

I agree with #2 completely. The cost of Steve Madden shoes is ridiculous and the fit and quality are awful. I made a major mistake buying a simple pair of boots that I had to get in a size 9 (I'm a 7.5/8) because the fit was so bad. I can't even give them away on craigslist! Gonna have to agree that these look like rip offs of LR's. Most of Steve Madden's shoes look that way nowadays.

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 2:05PM

posted by geometry chic

Aug 22, 2008 2:12PM

in the surburban town i have fleed to the city from, steve madden is considered high fashion.

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 5:14PM

Well maybe you should fleed back.

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 9:48PM

hey, i was at Loehmann's the other day to just look around since they changed their entire store layout and i came across a bag that i clearly thought was chanel. it was exactly the same style as chanel's "trash bag" (which i have in black) and was surprised that they came out with a blue one! HOWEVER, the second i checked the tag, it said Steve Madden.. from the idea of a big center logo, trash bag look, to the class chanel chain handle.. everything was the same. they need to start getting some more original ideas =/

-grace

posted by guest

Aug 22, 2008 9:51PM

PS- http://www.sheknows.com/articles/802787.htm

if you scroll down, there's pictures of blue bags and the first one is the one i'm talking about!

-grace

posted by DivaDelux

Aug 22, 2008 11:02PM

I would never look at that Steve Madden shoe and think Loffler Randall knockoff. I was obsessed with the Bianca flats in white patent leather and almost threw down the $300+ for them, but just couldn't justify it.

posted by guest

Aug 23, 2008 2:03PM

I don't really understand this Adventures in Copyright section (or whatever you want to call it). People make knock offs of runway looks. Big deal. Not everyone can afford to pay $1000 dollars for a shirt. You should be able to be fashionable at any price. People who are truly fashionable look great in anything from a $15 shirt or $1000 dollar one.

posted by guest

Aug 23, 2008 6:06PM

Guest #20 you said it. Really, the flats (either pair) aren't what I would call ground-breaking, and I'm sure they're both inspired by earlier 80's designs. The only copyright case on here that is worth talking about is the jewelry designs that were ripped off from Bliss Lau, as those really were new, original and different.

posted by guest

Aug 24, 2008 12:13AM

I wouldn't buy this particular flat because both version aren't my style but I did buy a pair of the Steve Madden wedge LR rip off boots because I can't afford $700 boots. Until I can, I will be happily buying Steven Madden, or even Payless shoes if they make them in the styles I love. Granted the quality is questionable but I have plenty of pairs of shoes that were 300+ that barely even lasted a season. I'm buying shoes for their style, not the name on the sole.

posted by mmechou

Aug 24, 2008 2:30AM

ok - seriously, who the fuck can afford jimmy choos on a regular basis??? steve madden makes some hot heels that, maybe only in the midwest warrent wip-lash, but jesus christ, who cares? if they're hot and functional, why knock a good thing?

posted by guest

Aug 26, 2008 7:34AM

I actually really like Steve Madden boots an they fit me perfectly...I tend to have a sneaky suspicion most women aren't in touch with their real shoe size. Anyway people love Steve Madden because they produce nice shoes that are real leather without be ridiculously expensive. There aren't many brands that float in the middle.

As for this shoe, J Crew has been doing decorated flats for a while and does them better than Loeffler Randall. I'm sorry ladies when I first saw this post I immediately thought the LR's were forever 21 and the Steve Madden's were the original. I'm not caught up in labels so I can speak the truth. The LR's look cheap and generic.

posted by guest

Aug 28, 2008 6:08PM

Anyone who owns Italian leather shoes knows that the thin soles wear out quickly, or need to be resoled when purchased. I own 8 pairs of Loeffer Randalls, from sandals to boots to flats. They are each a work of art, but no, that are not going to last forever! I have never had as many compliments on any shoe or boot as I have on the LR's...this Steve Madden knock off is a joke...the leather and the fabrications cannot be duplicated. They are worth every penny.