Adventures in Copyright Oct 21, 2008 @ 11:42am

Adventures in Copyright: Channeling Chanel

by Natalie Hormilla

chanel 255 funny copy.jpg Reader Claire, from Sydney, drew our attention to this Slow & Steady Wins the Race bag, at right.

Though it could never pass as one of the actual 2.55’s hanging at the Zaha Hadid exhibit in Central Park right now, we all know the association this bag is trying to ride on.

Even though $100 seems like a lot for a canvas bag, we can’t help but think this could be a hilarious purchase, especially if you attached a little lego man where the double C clasp would go (like in the earlier versions of the bag, anyway) - we suggest Band of Outsiders’ (or, Toys”R”Us).

But anyway, Claire wonders: “Somehow I feel this is more an attempt at irony rather than a lame ploy to rip off luxury labels.” (We’re guessing it’s the canvas for her, too.)

And so she asks, “What do you think?”

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Fashionista Main

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 11:50AM

Do you not do research? This designer has a whole series of designer inspired bags in plain canvas, they're totally tongue in cheek.

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 11:51AM

Slow and Steady wins the race created these bags to make a point. "The bags are based on the modern-day iconic handbag and are all executed in plain cotton muslin or canvas twill and then distilled to the sparest details of hardware and shape to identify it with its original. Through this process, the hi- fashion designer bag becomes a lo-fi object sketch and consequently an alternate icon of itself." They also carry them at the V&A museum.

posted by adristar

Oct 21, 2008 12:16PM

imitation will ALWAYS exist. although copycatting may be as intellectually degraded as this blog series, it is unavoidable and not easy to regulate. i would argue, in fact, that it shouldn't be regulated. if it is reasonable to regulate a particular combination of design elements, or even just a particular combination of design elements that somewhat resembles a previously existing particular combination of design elements, where can the line be drawn? perhaps chanel should be able to copyright any small, fitted, black dresses.

i think the ultimate point here is that it is up to the consumer to make an educated decision. it is wrong for a copycat design to parade AS the brand it is imitating (for example, logo imitation, such as the canal street knockoffs that actually say "louis vuitton", etc), however imitation will continue to exist no matter how many times this blog points it out.

although it may seem tacky, it's not morally wrong. it is also impossible to figure out who/what is the ORIGINAL version. i think you guys also have a point to make, and your point is valid, however these posts don't serve to defend the craftmanship and artistic quality of well-made clothes. they just make glaringly obvious your preference not for originality of design, but for expensive, status-symbol labels, and your willingness to defend their precedence til the end. you guys remind me of british royal family enthusiasts who make scrapbooks and shrines and memorize every small detail, and criticize all opposition, merely because you want a taste of this arbitrary "royalty", which in reality is but an illusion.

posted by etoilee8

Oct 21, 2008 12:25PM

They have this bag at the museum at RISD. . . I wanted to take a picture of it but there's a no photography rule.

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 12:27PM

those bags make a social statement...honestly I figured you guys would know about this brand. Not only does the V&A sell Slow and Steady, but they had an exhibit of NYC designers which featured the brand.

posted by bastylefilegirl

Oct 21, 2008 12:30PM

Yeah from their site it does seem like they are being a little "tounge and cheek" and that they company has a little alternative edge to it and are not looking to make gobs of money pushing "knock off" bags.

http://www.slowandsteadywinstherace.com/#8_BAGS

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 1:04PM

umm...I know this was already posted, but Slow and Steady Wins the Race is trying to make a point about status bags...they also did the Dior saddlebag, the Balenciaga motorcycle bag, the Hermes Birkin, among others. The knockoff is intentional. And I think its hilarious you guys just proved their point.

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 1:08PM

we had a debate today in class. all of our school either love abercrombie or hate it because they cant afford it and so hate the way the overcharge just because it's got their name on. anyways, then we got onto the fake LV debate, and how if you cant afford something dont get it. and then soeone said their sister wanted a Chloé Paddington and I am literally the only person in my class who a) knew what it is
b) understood her pain in the wanting of a Chloé bag.
aaaaarrrrrrrrrggghhhhhhh

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 1:14PM

i dont get it guest 7, how did they prove their point? this wasn't nearly as vilifying as a lot of other posts, they obviously knew something was up with the bag. geez, i think i might be done with reading the comments section on these, they're never useful...

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 1:15PM

#3 proved the point very well as well. Commenter 3--you spent a long time writing all that and if you had posted it under ANY OTHER adventures in copyright, many would agree. Too bad you are too stupid to read the post you criticize. And it was a stupid post, as all of the other comments have noted. Sad all around.

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 1:16PM

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 2:51PM

googling "slow and steady wins the race" would hve probably been a wise, if not obvious, idea.

posted by bluue

Oct 21, 2008 3:51PM

#1 is totally right! I have been waiting for these to come out. They are a great statement and funny to boot. They have a Balenciaga and Gucci one too.

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 4:08PM

hey #1` and #13, my favorite is her canvas as four "circle" bag

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 4:23PM

i honestly cannot believe this is actually being discussed, i thought fashionista was more in touch than this.

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 7:01PM

TopShop has also hopped on the bandwagon, but with a silver chain instead.

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=74447&parent_category_rn=130031&productId=872889&langId=-1

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 9:08PM

Totally! I'm surprised Fashionista doesn't know about this one as well... Teen Vogue has featured several of these handbags.

posted by Tina Bite

Oct 21, 2008 9:18PM

Their whole collection is amazing and is headed by designer Mary Ping. I'm partial towards the shoes, but you've gotta check out their newest project, the $100 wedding dress.

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 11:00PM

mary ping is one of the smartest, kindest, generous souls i have ever met. and she'd one of my favorite designers to boot. she's the real deal y'all.

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 11:02PM

Have you been living under a rock?

posted by guest

Oct 21, 2008 11:47PM

these bags debuted at opening ceremony YEARS ago. really, ladies. come on now. do we need a credibility check all of a sudden?