When large companies rip-off small designer’s work, we get irritated.
There’s something tragic about watered down design – like watered down beer – ew.
Post-Chris Kane, someone sent us another disturbing Topshop rip-off. That Alexander Wang dress? The black stretch mesh sheath with thick, detailed embroidery? Topshop’s taken it upon themselves to bring the exact same thing, not an interpretation, to the masses.
Wang’s expertly coiled embroidery, extra-long sleeves, fun thumb-loop, and back zipper have been replaced with a far less innovative diamond-patterned embroidery, short sleeves and a plain sheer back.
Just this weekend we dubbed it the new “dress that won’t die.” It’s been everywhere – Kanye’s girlfriend wore it in Paris, Missy Rader wore it in Wang’s lookbook, in editorials featuring everyone from Eniko Mihalik to Liu Wenn – which means that everyone on Topshop’s design staff is ultra-aware of it.
The Wang original is for sale at Opening Ceremony for $955, while the Topshop version is going for $90.
The thing is, no one has to buy the $1000 version. Most people can’t. But instead of buying a copycat, why not admire the original and honor the designer’s work by not encouraging mass reproductions and rip-offs?
–MELISSA ELLIOTT
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fashionista, your comments are completely unjustified!
I have some points to make about how wrong these posts are:
#1, chain stores “copying” designers is what makes the fashion world go around. the same style dress cant be in fashion forever. it needs to be leaked down the chain until everyone is so sick of it, and a new must have style is released.
#2, A.wang’s dress will still be purchased as people who can afford it will be more likely to buy the real version instead of the copy just because it’s the original and better, thus wang will still reap the profits.
#3, it is rare that everyone who loves wang can afford the real thing so they can have a dress in the same style for cheaper
Quite frankly, i find that fashionista is full on condescending, materialistic snobs
I think these posts would be fine if you just had a picture of the dressses and didn’t write a load of crap next to them.
Agreed that copying rips money out of the hands of hard working designers. But you know who’s fault that really is? Wang’s, for making a dress that costs almost $1K and then wondering why people would want to buy a copy of it, even a far lesser copy, for one TENTH of the price.
If designers could find a way to translate some of their more original and sensational ideas into more affordable, more wearable, designs, copying would not be as widely spread as it is now because competition would be stiffer – more people could afford the original and so there would be less demand for the knock-off.
then don’t read the load of crap — just look at the pictures!
Not to drag this on because this has to be the most repetitive thread in the history of free speech, but i am going to have to second #53- everyone is interested in the news, the inspiration and the inspired, but adding three paragraphs of obnoxious blabber next to each image actually takes the fun out of it. come on fashionista use a little tongue and check cleverness here- something like “A. Wang may be a toothpick but in a Wang v. Topshop rumble we think he’d get a few good punches in”
its brief, slightly clever and avoids making you guys sound like you sleep in chanel because frankly fashion blogs are not cash cows.
STOP IT FASHIONISTA!!! we get it. you hate it.
Actually, for everyone arguing that the TopShop version doesn’t affect Alexander Wang’s sales, I can just tell you that even if I had the money to buy to A Wang dress, I would buy the Topshop version instead. That dress is so wear-once-and-done that I doubt I’d even pay the $90 for it..
I have a vintage version of this dress from the 80s.
It looks very similar to the Wang dress. He didn’t create this style – he filled a need.
People with an innate sense of true style often desire things before they’ve seen them. Some of these people are fashion designers & can bring these desires to fruition.
This style is SUPER 80s. Nobody can give Wang that credit or knock Topshop with making their own.
Fashionista is falling off though, this whole Adventures in Copyright thing is their only claim to fame at this point. but really they should just give it up.
I’m removing this site from my favorites.
Its a sad day.
People who slam companies like F21 and Topshop are probably more upset that the knockoffs make highly coveted items seem less exclusive, rather than being concerned about infringement of designer creativity.
I think it’s a bad idea to buy trendy pieces like the A. Wang dress or the knockoffs anyway. It’s always better to buy pieces with lasting potential. But if you must buy something trendy, it might as well be cheap shit from f21, because you know it’ll only be worn for a few months or less.
When the large company was DvF and the small designer was Mercy, you didn’t seem to have a problem with it.
I’m so depressed I didn’t get in on this argument sooner, I would have killed you all.
It’s a sad day for Austin.
this is endless arguement.
theres no point
but we all know the one truth.
when you were wearing topshop
and other girl walk by you with a.wang dress.
you probably want to be naked..
this is why i dont shop at h&m or topshop
I think everyone will agree with me that this should be a contender for the We’re Not Dead Yet section.
Lastly, you can find some great pieces of his at 28 Bond St.
#63 wins the award for best comment
haha i loved #63 too.
and #56 only because “it avoids making you sound like you sleep in Chanel”
was pretty funny.
I don’t think you should stop posting these.
Its fun to read while i’m at work.
I like AA’s inpiration of this dress two both of these.
http://store.americanapparel.net/rnt46.html#i
agreed, its ridiculous that stores are able to mass produce designers things without some type of recourse. we dont spend hours on one piece just to have someone mass produce it for less. it must stop!
I say just let people do what they want. If they want to buy the copycat then let them. All that matters is what you think, which lets face it, should be kept inside. If I don’t judge you then what gives you the right to judge me?
MELISSA!!!!!!!! YOU ROOOCKKKKKKKKK!!!!!
Love your cousin Brooke :) MISS YOU!