The thing about Balmain’s party dresses is that if they weren’t made quite so skillfully out of of such exquisite fabrics and crystals etc., they’d run the risk of looking downright trashy.
Christophe Decarnin’s perfected the tight sexy thing and made it work among the fashion crowd because, well, it’s so well done—which makes the girl look and feel the same. And isn’t that the point of looking hot on a night out?
Because even if you rock this Bebe knock off with its spot on asymmetrical hemline and triangular zig zags, you’re not going to look like Anja Rubik at the Met Ball. However, if you buy something that’s not supposed to look like something else inexpensively copied, something for well under $179, you just might look better than Anja.
Though you probably know that.
Also, while we’re on the subject of Bebe, these are heart-breaking.
Tags: Anja Rubik, Balenciaga, Balmain, Bebe, Met Ball
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i am going to go ahead and agree with everything you have said here.
especially the shoes. i’m crying and ripping my hair out a little.
i’m torn between being elated that someone is ripping off balmain’s trash and disgusted that someone thinks balmain’s trash is worth ripping off.
well said #2
ahh this is what i sent in to fashionista! Thanks for posting!!! xx n
the crystals on balmain may be expensive but exquisite fabrics and well made .
pas de tout.
good! i hope every over hyped, stupidly expensive piece gets ripped off!
actually, i can’t believe that it hasn’t happened sooner. i mean, it can’t be that hard to make dresses that look like they’ve been through the shredder right?
I’ll second #3 and third #2. I hope AIC continues in this direction. Though the question of whether this should be ripped off at all is up in the air, it is at least a blatant ripoff rather than an “inspired by” that’s not trying to be anything more than that.
http://www.signature9.com
The bebe dress is an abomination.
Balmain is done and Bebe is gross. That’s all I have.
I love most of Balmain’s stuff. I wish he would take things in a different direction because I feel like I’ve seen the same collection for too long.
Bebe’s copycat is terribly ugly. I cannot condone anyone wearing that.
Balmain’s version is borderline acceptable, but not many people can pull it off.
Bebe’s just looks soo trashy and cheap. It’s the epitome of a true knockoff terribly executed.
Bebe = shit. :)
ive been seeing a lot of replicas of herve leger dresses at my local mall. including that rainbow herve leger dress.
These knock offs are appalling! Regardless of whether Balmain is in or out right now, their clothes were painstakingly designed and crafted. Hours of research and work were done, and the effect was a really incredible line and a memorable fashion moment.
Does anyone have any insight into this side of the industry? Are stores like Bebe taking on the ethics of Forever 21 just to stay in the game?
I know some girls at J. Crew, and they do real and inspiring research and design work to create unique designs. They are always inspired by runways, but would never go this far!
Where has the creativity gone in Bebe? Is it about the money? Is it about bringing clothes to the racks so fast that no time can be taken to recreate the concept?
Fashionista, I do appreciate you pointing these things out. As a designer (not fashion), I can assure you that this isn’t business. This is intellectual theft, and shows a complete deterioration of morals, and carelessness for the industry these bottomfeeders thrive on. Is there any way we can get to the bottom of this?
nameismary.blogspot.com
Bebe also managed to completely butcher Rodarte.
http://www.bebe.com/bebe-Silk-Shred-Party-Dress/dp/B002268ZPW?ie=UTF8&asinSearchPageIndex=72&pf_rd_r=0J7CX3XQH3J5ESGVTZSB&navAsinList=B0024QP6KM%2CB0025ASD7K%2CB002AL7V1S%2CB0026V3896%2CB001PCPVWY%2CB002A85QFY%2CB00265N4YQ%2CB00288XWKC%2CB001O8G5M4%2CB0027DK3MS%2CB001TH2EYI%2CB0027DG60Q%2CB0021UCYMY%2CB0027DCI6W%2CB0027DAPBW%2CB0029CU6WE%2CB002APW97A%2CB001V0V3O0%2CB0026RK91A%2CB001UAC1ZQ%2CB00243QXO8%2CB0021CAMNU%2CB001URN63K%2CB001XP3C60%2CB0027HFRG6%2CB002268ZPW%2CB001U3T3UE%2CB001SZTXCC%2CB001URL59C%2CB00265M078%2CB00265JUYE%2CB0021UGQ7S%2CB0027DEHUM%2CB001OFNKI4%2CB002817CD2%2CB001UX1N3Y%2CB002265XD4%2CB0027QE9Z2%2CB001VLY3C8%2CB001ZDAE66%2CB00226JL28%2CB002262EJA%2CB0024GXC94%2CB001Y8M2VM%2CB001JRSX7A%2CB00265V1LY%2CB0026BR7F2%2CB0024QR7WM%2CB00226DH28%2CB001T01WGQ%2CB001OYS8W8&node=675941011&pf_rd_s=search-results&field_browse=675941011&searchSize=100&navAsinListIndex=47&pf_rd_t=101&field_availability=0&id=bebe%20Silk%20Shred%20Party%20Dress&searchBinNameList=null&store=core&pf_rd_p=482133391&ref=search_results_73&searchNodeID=675941011&pf_rd_i=675941011&field_launch-date=-1y&searchRank=-custom-rank&searchPage=1&pf_rd_m=A2FMOXN01TSNYY
Absolutely tragic. I’m all for reasonably priced fashion but taking high end fashion and making it tacky is really in poor taste.
thebeautifulfool.blogspot.com
SO ot th first time bebe has done this, people. But it doesnt get any less stragic… part odf the fun of balmain to me was though seeing the ridiculous knockoffs.