Adventures in Copyright Apr 8, 2009 @ 2:13pm

Adventures in Copyright: Marc Our Words

modcloth rips off marc.jpg There are bad knock-offs and then there are really bad knock-offs.

Modcloth’s version of Marc Jacob’s Ginny bag is strictly the latter. Their rendition, strangely called the Debbie Gibson bag, lacks all of the qualities that make us lust after MJ’s without disguising its design references.

Modcloth remembered the purple leather tassels, the leather woven striping and a magnetic snap closure. They even got the color palette right - the yellow, the purple, the black to white contrast - awkward combinations perfectly pegged. Everything else? A disaster.

Their “vegan-friendly” leather lacks the shine of Stella’s signature faux skins and the bulky shape and padded strap definitely aren’t what Marc had in mind. But if the gold and tortoise chain strap, sleek silhouette, padlock and subtle gray suede detailing aren’t that important to you - basically all the things that makes this bag worth the extra effort and dollars - then go ahead and put your money towards rent.

Just don’t blame us when your Debbie Gibson doesn’t make it past Memorial day.

—CARSON GRIFFITH

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posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:18PM

wtf are you talking about

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:22PM

Funny! Do you think they called it the Debbie Gibson, because they were throwing their weight behind DG being a rip off of Tiffany? ;-)

Kisses from Paris!

xoxo

www.chicsetera.com

twitter: chicsetera

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:34PM

lol wrong. as per usual.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 2:42PM

Ditto #2!

posted by andreakcastillo

Apr 08, 2009 2:47PM

i think this is hilarious

posted by mpw

Apr 08, 2009 3:00PM

Um, yeah, they're not at all similar except for the fact that they are both bags.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 3:17PM

Yeah, I looove how a magnetic snap closure, aside from the fact that they look absolutely nothing alike, means that it's a copy. Grasping at straws much?

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 3:49PM

they look nothing aloke. But I have a great 1960s Japanese wood bead purse that looks similar to the MJ...hmmm, was he ripping me off ??

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 4:03PM

Uh...first of all, ModCloth doesn't manufacture their clothing or bags, so if you have a problem with an item, take it up with the actual vendor. In addition, these bags don't even look alike. Totally not a knock-off.

posted by shharvin

Apr 08, 2009 4:13PM

i get the that they both have tassles, but tons of bags have tassles. what about them? I know you love to hate knock offs, but its a natural part of fashion. most people can't afford the clothes that come down the runways, so we settle for clothes that sort of look like the real thing. y'all need to get off your high horse and just accept it.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 4:14PM

I usually agree with you, but I'm going to have to respectfully "wtf" this anti-ModCloth tirade.

I just don't see it. Now, the MJ dress from last year - given, it was a knockoff, and quite poor at that, but these two bags are too dissimilar.

I know you have plenty of fodder out there, why not leave these girls alone?

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 4:14PM

the bag is absolutely a rip-off of a marc jacobs s/s 09 design, but, for some reason, carson posted the wrong picture.

this is the bag that should've been shown:

http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/S2009RTW/MJACOBS/DETAILS/00610m.jpg

posted by Britt Aboutaleb

Apr 08, 2009 4:30PM

my fault 12 - thanks!!

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 4:37PM

Ahh, it is a knockoff! Oh well. At least I can save $350 if I really want the look!

posted by mpw

Apr 08, 2009 5:06PM

Thank you, #12. This post makes a lot more sense now! It is a pretty blatant ripoff!

posted by Faran Krentcil

Apr 08, 2009 5:15PM

Yeah, DEFINITELY same bag. Yikes. LVMH is gonna have a field day...

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 7:33PM

I feel like everything is a knockoff. Where do you draw the line with "inspiration" vs. total knockoff?

Although, these bags are so strange looking I feel like they are very obviously supposed to look EXACTLY the same.

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 7:34PM

I feel like everything is a knockoff. Where do you draw the line with "inspiration" vs. total knockoff?

Although, these bags are so strange looking I feel like they are very obviously supposed to look EXACTLY the same.

posted by SusanGKoger

Apr 08, 2009 9:06PM

Hey Fashionista,

My name is Susan and I'm the founder (and Head Buyer) of ModCloth.com.

As one of the commenters pointed out, we are a retailer and don't do any production or design ourselves (like other frequent violators: Steve Madden, F21, TopShop, etc), but, as a small business owner and fashion lover, I hate the idea of knock-offs just as much as you do.

I really pride myself in our product mix - we search high and low to find unique pieces that fit our point of view at a reasonable price point. I had no idea when I brought the bag into our shop that it was a knock-off. So, I'd really love to open the dialogue about this and see what you and your readers think:

How are buyers for smaller, independent boutiques, like myself, supposed to keep track of every single piece of clothing ever shown on the runway or produced to be sure that we're not buying knock-offs for our stores? It's not like I don't look at the runway shows or browse NetAPorter, but my job is based around knowing what's available at my price point by going to tradeshows, web browsing, etc, and knowing what my competitors have in stock. It's impossible to memorize the entire high street and the entire runway.

Also, a few editorial notes: ModCloth (not Modcloth), and neither link in the post works (there's an extra "http//").

Let me know what you think! xoxo

posted by guest

Apr 08, 2009 11:55PM

wow- breaking media must have an awesome sales team if this is the response you're getting. i can't believe you got a response from the owner of the small boutique you just ripped on your site-- which is awesome (i work in marketing, and love it).

I think that it's very impossible to keep track of all of the designs/rip-offs. I'm glad susan responded, though. at least there's a voice to speak back to the attacker. :)

also, i love fashionista, i just feel badly for ModCloth (although I'm glad you responded!). I also love these posts, along with the newer ones... "life with..."

posted by la petite fashionista

Apr 09, 2009 10:29AM

I agree with #20! the power of social media is insane.

& I truly sympathize with the owner. They weren't trying to provide the public with a knock off, she probably just saw it at a trade show or market & thought it was a cute, stylish bag. It's nearly impossible to remember every bag that graces the runway.

It's the manufacturers that should be frowned upon; they scour through runway pictures to find bags to recreate. They're the ones doing the misdeed.

posted by guest

Apr 09, 2009 4:33PM

I 100% agree with no. 9, as pointing out ModCloth as the company at fault when clearly it had to be purchased from another designer, which in my opinion is where the finger should be pointed.

I think fashionista is fantastic as with ModCloth, but hopefully facts come prior to finger pointing.