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Adventures in Copyright Jun 1, 2009 @ 2:15pm

Adventures in Copyright: Floral Frenzy

In case you were wondering why a designer is bothered when a company rips off their designs, take the example of this ring from Dior Joaillerie.

On their website, they have a pretty cool video showing the four month process to craft one of their rings.

So when Fred Flare puts up their Crystal Flowerette Ring (which we imagine didn’t take quite so long to manufacture), they’re stealing Dior’s creativity without ever having worked through the creative process.

Yet again, this isn’t to say that we don’t wear and love mass-produced pieces. Of course we do. We just try to avoid the exact replicas.

—AMANDA JEAN BOYLE

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posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 2:25PM

I totally get the whole creative process thing, but I mean, where do we draw the line? If we couldn't continue to use and adapt inventions and creations that took time to create, what would we really have left? Sticks and rocks?

While the dior ring is absolutely gorgeous and the fred flare is clearly a ripoff, does it really seem possible that anyone would mistake one for the other?

While I really do respect the designer's right to maintain the integrity of his creations, don't poor people deserve pretty things too?

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 2:28PM

omfg, the ring in the video was fucking to die for!!!!!!

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 2:35PM

i wouldn't call it an exact replica. similar, sure. exact, nope.

posted by nycshoegal

Jun 01, 2009 2:43PM

these are easily among the tackiest things I have seen in a while. I have a hard time imagining anyone but Paris Hilton wear this atrocity. Copying this is indeed a crime in my opinion, but for entirely different reasons. I hope nobody ever decides to waste their money on such kitsch.

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 2:51PM

You wrote: "We just try to avoid the exact replicas."

This is most emphatically NOT an "exact replica." So what is your point? Do you really think the Dior people feel threatened by the existence of a poorly made and highly tacky $24 Fred Flare ring?

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 2:59PM

Why would you spend 4 months creating that? Especially, if a replica worth only $24 can be made.

posted by Signature9

Jun 01, 2009 3:13PM

There are literally dozens of interpretations of this ring out there. While it's cute, there have been enamel and stone rings around for a long time. Sorry, just not seeing this as an exact replica/ripoff.

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 3:21PM

Topshop have done one just like this as well.
I should know I bought it, and then later say the Dior one!
the topshop one has a skull in the middle instead of the big jewel but it has a ladybird and butterflies round the edge in the same style as those two!

Topshop are the worst offenders ever at ripping off clothes :(

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 4:00PM

not an exact replica....unless you're blind

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 4:28PM

There is also a mid-range Kenneth Jay Lane interpretation of the Dior ring.

http://www.intermixonline.com/product/accessories/rings/flower+dome+ring.do?sortby=ourPicks

I agree with your copyright posts, in that, they completely rip off the creative process, but let's say not everyone can afford the higher priced items. What are we supposed to wear?

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 5:09PM

The Dior ring is simply a more elaborate version of a costume jewellery classic called the cluster ring. Here's an example from eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290320587183

The Dior version is beautiful, but aside from the modern color palette, there is really nothing original about it.

Also, Juicy Couture has been riding this wave for several years now.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7574436/c/767.html
http://cookforthecure.millerbrooks.com/images/barbie1.jpg

Why does no one here ever seem to take into account the fact that so many of the "original" designers are taking ideas directly from vintage?

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 5:24PM

dude, fred flare is here to make us all look cute, even if we can't afford the billion dollar stuff. I'm not really into flowers, but for a once in a while accessory, it would be perfect! Whys everyone gotta be so serious all the time. Just relax. The real dior fans will buy the original and if you can afford dior, why would you buy anything but!? Fred flare is super cute and if you wear it once, whats the big whoop. chillax peeeeeple.

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 5:26PM

Agreed. At this point, everyone is "ripping" off everyone. Buy what you like. But this is defs not an exact replica.

posted by adristar

Jun 01, 2009 6:20PM

completely agree. also, i'm pretty sure the only "exact replicas" out there are canal street handbag knockoffs, and i think we would all agree that those are an infringement of copyright.

also, so dior goes through the intensive "creative process" in order to sell a fantastic piece of jewelry for sky-high prices. maybe fred flare avoided that process, but they also avoid the $20 000+ price tag by a LONG shot (as do places like F21 and H&M). furthermore, is it really the length of a "creative process" that legitimizes an artistic creation? is a "creative process" itself necessary for legitimate art? i know this argument isn't really about the artistic merits of one vs. the other, but i think it's still an interesting question.

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2009 6:29PM

My mom went through a Cookie Lee jewelry-selling phase a few years ago. She still has a necklace that looks quite a lot like that Dior ring. That must mean that Dior ripped off Cookie Lee, or that Fred Flare did.

Or maybe that the idea of gluing colored flowers on jewelry is just not even close to being original.

Not to mention that those two rings look nothing alike.

posted by louis

Jun 02, 2009 2:44AM

I love the Dior ring. All their jewelry is phenomenal and artistic. I cannot tell you how many pieces they've designed that I have fallen completely in love with.

If I could afford that ring, I would buy it and wear it every day. Seriously.

However, I can't afford it. Neither can thousands of others. What am I suppose to do? Hang a picture of it from W on my wall? That just doesn't work. I've tried it. :(

If someone can make something similar, sure with less artistic skill, for $25. You can bet I will buy it.

I will still love the Dior ring and I would wear that $25 ring like it was the Dior ring. Just like I have a PRINT of Monet's Sunset in Venice on my wall. I don't tell people it's the real thing. Trust me, that would be hilarious! But I can still love it like I would the real thing.

So, while I hate counterfeit purses and such that CLAIM to be Prada or LV, with the labels and such - I cannot object to things made "in the style of". Much like the poster on my wall is clearly not the original, it is still just as beautiful.

But then, I guess I don't care about the "status" of something as I do the creativity and beauty. Frankly, I could care less if my purse has an LV stamped on it. It's not the letters that matter, it's the design.

Others though do care if someone can see the LV stamp. But then, they aren't going to care about this...

Well, I've weighed in on this Adventures in Copyright, finally. Can't wait to see what crazy and outrageous comments others make. I love the whack-a-doo ones. Totally makes me laugh. :)

Love ya, Fashionistas!

posted by RashomonRebel

Jun 02, 2009 2:54AM

#14, the Sistine Chapel took about 4 years to complete.

Victoire de Castellane is like Dorothy on LSD and has wicked imagination.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWfJ1BX4_3w

posted by guest

Jun 02, 2009 12:52PM

the whole fashion industry thrives on inspiration and "knock-offs". The real issue is not whether the two look similar (they don't and as a copyright lawyer for the fashion indusrty, they would lose is they tried to sue), it is that without knock-offs the high-end fashion houses have no incentive to innovate. Until you see the item in forever 21, do you know it is last season?

posted by guest

Jun 06, 2009 10:05AM

The only people who see no problem with ripping off creative content, artisan processes or don't see the value in authentic, original design tend to be those who don't make their living from their own creative talents but just want something fast, cheap and easy. They make terrible advocates for the artist.

I make my living from my original, creative designs and have forged and independent, global brand based on protecting my work and being recognized for the quality of my work.

It is NOT OKAY for companies to produce knockoffs and ripoff the work of other designers whether large or small. It is NOT OKAY for consumers to come to expect and blithely accept this. It is NOT OKAY to say "because the original is too expensive for me, I'll steal it, or pay less for the version that was stolen so I could buy it."

I know and love the people at Fred Flare, and I am heartily disppointed to see them wade into these nebulous and mercernary waters of cheap reproduction.

posted by guest

Jun 19, 2009 11:16PM

I have to say, although the Dior ring is gorgeous, I don't think it looks anything like the other ring available at Fred Flare. I also have seen the "replica" at other stores in NYC, so Fred Flare is not the designer, they just carry it. I believe in supporting artists but local small businesses need support as well. I am so over big elitist businesses.