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Adventures in Copyright Apr 13, 2009 @ 3:51pm

Adventures in Copyright: Caged

by Britt Aboutaleb

ysl bakers cage heels.jpg So here’s one more attempt at the YSL cage sandals. It’s a bit better than Bebe’s but still an epic failure.

Bakers, the brand who expressed their love for YSL via the brown Tribute sandals last year, threw together a pretty plastic looking cage atop a platform of the same color with a stumpy looking stilletto heel, instead of the parallel cage the YSL sandals sit on - but they do come with the zipper in back.

It comes in silver, bronze and patent leather black for a ridiculous $80.

And not a soul will mistake them for actual YSL.

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Fashionista Main

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 3:58PM

I think both are ugly.

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 4:06PM

i guess you guys already missed the Topshop version that looks exactly the same.

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 4:36PM

okay, it needs to be said once again.

why are you always bashing the cheaper, mass-market knock-offs on this website?

i get it. yeah, it sucks for a visionary designer to have their wares ripped off. BUT THIS IS WHAT FASHION IS, a trickle down, re-interpretation of runway trends.
yeah, it's better when they are re-interpreted in a new way as to not be so blatantly copycatting, but you act like people can afford to go out and buy 1000 dollar YSL heels.

i personally, am glad that we have places like bakers and F21, so that people, like myself, that don't have access to daddy's bank account can actually feel like they are somewhat on-trend.

now i understand if an item is so BADLY ripped off that its just laughable, but please just stick to those cases. enough already.

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 5:06PM

#3 and all like her you can be on trend and never shop at ANY of those horrible places! SO, get creative and stop complaining about adventures in copyright! enough already!

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 5:11PM

This site always seems to deem copies "failures" for not being exactly the same as the original, which seems to imply that you would consider it a "success" if it was indistinguishable?

Do you think anyone who buys the cheaper version actually thinks, or wants, people to think it's YSL? I'd bet that they just think it's a cool look, and don't really care about the brand name. I actually think the Bakers version looks a little more wearable, is clearly not a direct copy of the original, but still has the same kind of look. If anything, that's the definition of success for a lower-market retailer - picking up on trends but making them more appealing, and more available, to the masses.

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 5:12PM

Very sad that you at Fashionista think the YSL version is an amazing looking boot. The knockoff version is far more practical then the foolish runway YSL one. Just because its expensive does not make it hot. Grow Up!

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 5:18PM

the YSL version isn't "hot" because it's expensive - it's "hot" because it's a totally original, fashion forward, beautiful design

posted by bastylefilegirl

Apr 13, 2009 5:28PM

The Caged shoe..YSL or otherwise is UGLY! Jeffery Campbell has also joined the ugly caged shoe club.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=10&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=16475626&parentid=W_SHOES_WHATSNEW&sortProperties=&navCount=12&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=W_SHOES_WHATSNEW&popId=WOMENS_WHATSNEW&prepushId=

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 5:36PM

...i actually like that jeffrey campbell shoe thing...

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 6:05PM

guest 4, are you trying to say you've never shopped at H&M, F21, Urban, Topshop and any other retailer that exists to bring trends to the masses? gee i find that hard to believe.

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 6:07PM

Agree with #3. Whenever you compare similar designer items they're called "trends." When a cheaper brand does it its call a knock-off.

posted by Leith

Apr 13, 2009 6:16PM

Dear commenters,
It's not that big of a deal. Adventures in Copyright is a fun and interesting read. I don't know if you feel insulted or are just super duper pmsing but please stop.

P.S. This is a blatant YSL knock-off and regardless of how you feel about knock-offs this is more than just an on trend shoe.

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 6:30PM

It should be a fun and interesting read, to see where similar styles are popping up. But it always bashes the lesser priced version.

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 6:53PM

^not true. they have bashed marc jacobs before. they bash whoever is doing the infringing.

posted by Signature9

Apr 13, 2009 7:02PM

Somehow I don't think they're targeting the same customer. But the Bakers version still looks decent and works as an on trend mass market shoe.

posted by nadienne

Apr 13, 2009 10:07PM

Perhaps this makes me unethical, but given that I can NEVER afford the designer versions of things, I'm thankful for the similar-but-not-quite-identical knockoffs.

In this case, I actually prefer the knockoff's design. The pitch of the heel is much better--as in, you'd be able to walk in them comfortably--and they hit at a more flattering place on the ankle.

I'm really not a fan of the caged heel to begin with. It doesn't mirror the vamp of the shoe exactly--the grid is much too small--and it throws the focal point of the shoe off and away from the sexiness of your skin peeking through the grid.

Also, Britt, how exactly is a four inch stiletto "stumpy?"

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 10:20PM

do you at fashionista really believe if one can't afford designer merchandise s/he shouldn't be able to get a similar look? WHO do you think your readers are exactly? because i'll bet not many of us can actually afford ysl...

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 10:35PM

they also knocked off this balenciaga

http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/wp-content/styleblog/uploads/2007/03/parisbalenciaga2.jpg

http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=318&p=7214

posted by guest

Apr 13, 2009 11:04PM

Dudes, real talk. I wear a pair of Stephane Kélian cage sandals as my house slippers, because after 15 years they are a bit too rank to be worn in public anymore. But who is to say YSL didn't copy an old Kélian shoe some junior designer stumbled across at a flea -- which is exactly where I found mine for $25, btw!

Regardless, one can't copyright a design in the U.S. I get the *interest* in such comparisons, but not the endless -- and historically ignorant -- *outrage.*

Face facts: there's nothing new under the sun.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2009 12:41AM

the bakers shoe is much sexier than the YSL tribute which is only for the eyes of materialistic fashion woman and the gay men who inhibit the fashion world. this post was just awful - and it deserves the negative reaction incited.. I'm so happy that you're advocating for the private equity guys and the gucci group which owns YSL> I mean.. it's one bunch of business people versus the next, and ideas are borrowed in every possible industry.

posted by lauraloveslagerfeld

Apr 14, 2009 6:02AM

i think that if they are going to do a knock off, they should do it well or not do it at all because everyone knows what it is a copy of, the companies should just design shoes that are original and not copies of high end designer brands!

posted by lauraloveslagerfeld

Apr 14, 2009 6:05AM

and another thing, im sick of seeing the gorgeous dior extreme gladiator sandals being knocked off on the high street, i spoke to a woman in Harvey Nichols and she said that people are being put off buying them because everyone will think they are fake due to how many people have fake ones, same with the stam bag, the people who are lucky enough to afford to buy such objects dont want to as there is such a high amount of knock offs, either buy a real designer item, or a high street item that doesnt look like its trying to be something else.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2009 7:41AM

Who cares. Fashion is a hi-lo sport. The lucky few who can buy the obscenely expensive original, do. The others who prefer to save money and get a copy or an interpretation will get the other. If you care so much about what other people think then stay home . This elitist bitching about people and companies doing less expensive versions of expensive fashion is so tired . So many of you have become insane over TopShop when it's just another knock off emporium. But because Kate Moss is shackled to it, then that makes it all ok. Grow Up.
fluff Chance

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2009 8:08AM

the copy beats the original. more wearable, better color choices, and when you look closely, it's actually a different shoe...one that looks as though it fits the foot. It's a hell of a lot cheaper too. So moan and whine over that, young ladies.

posted by Oni

Apr 14, 2009 9:39AM

I think that top designers like YSL set the trends for manufacturers to produce a wearable and attractive product that can be sold in stores like Bakers. Bakers' shoe beats YSL's! Everything starts at the top and works its way down to stores like Bakers so that it can be more attractive to a market. A lot of the designs that you see on the runways or in Vogue or Bazaar you want it broken down into something that you can wear because a lot of people cannot accept or understand fashion.

posted by darcykins

Apr 14, 2009 10:32AM

once i found a really nice pair of YSL shoes at value village they were in really good condition. i gave them to my mom cuz they were her size, i didn't tell her were i got them though or she wouldn't have worn them.

posted by darcykins

Apr 14, 2009 10:36AM

i'm not going to read everyone's comments 'cuz they are all pretty bitchy but does anyone know if (and yes, i'm sure many will cringe) there is a knock off in rubber? i bet it would be uncomfortable but cool, i used to have a pair of rubber gladiators and they were awesome cuz i didn't care if they got wet, and i wore them at the beach.

posted by ginni27

Apr 14, 2009 1:55PM

I agree with a lot of the readers above; the Bakers version is a lot more wearable for everyday! They don't look like a straight-off-the-runway masterpiece but then again, how many things can you wear like that? The knock-off version is more likely to attract consumers who appreciate the YSL look, but again cannot spend 1200 to achieve it. YSl should be flattered that people aspire to that achieve look at all price ranges. The Bakers version certainly wouldn't deter the regular YSL consumers from buying the shoe.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2009 7:17PM

A lot of these comments are annoying. Ripping of a designers shoe, in cheap leather, that was probably put together by an underpaid chinese worker is GROSS. End of discussion! I can't afford the price tag on those gorgeous YSL shoes either, but you know what?!?! That's what Loehmans and Ebay is for people!!! And you know what else??? If you tried on the YSL shoe, then tried on that gross knock off, you would know which shoe was more "wearable."

posted by neenersh

Apr 15, 2009 2:29PM

I don't think anyone would mistake the Baker's version for the YSL, but I like to think of it as "embodying" a feel. Not a huge issue, and while I have no problem with a not-so-similar knock-off it is still fun to read "adventures in copyright" while trying very hard not to get to passionate about it. Be entertained people, and calm down.