Adventures in Copyright Aug 31, 2009 @ 10:16am

Adventures in Copyright: Peeped Off

by Britt Aboutaleb

Sometimes I think Steve Madden worships Alexander McQueen the way I do, and that that’s why he constantly attempts the same designs.

But that can’t be right, because I’d be sick with guilt if I made my small fortune off stealing his creativity.

Madden has no such guilt - he’s struck again with McQueen’s peep toe Faithful bootie. His Seryna bootie comes with a ridged leather heel, snapped leather pulled over the ankle and a zip up the front.

It’s missing the skull zipper puller though, and as our tipster says, “McQueen’s luxe leather.”

She also says, “As much as I hate that Steve Madden’s copying yet another McQueen shoe, at least they did it justice this time. Though because of that fact, I wonder if a lawsuit isn’t far behind.”

Well no, it’s probably not, but we’d love McQueen to publicly call him out.

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posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 11:17AM

Good work on this A in C, Fashionista. A very blatant example of Madden's lack of creativity

posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 11:36AM

i Know this is constantly said by many of us especially in this economy can not pay hundreds of dollars for boots. I know that i a just trying to pay for books for grad school let alone hundreds of dollars for shoes. I still try to look good every day. If McQueens really wanted to reach the masses he should do his own line of more affordable shoes, clothes etc not just a limited capsule line for target

posted by deathofadame

Aug 31, 2009 11:52AM

I agree with #2 to an extent however how can you have respect a man who copies someone elses designs constantly. Does he lack creativity?? I'd rather buy the real thing than a knock off anyday. If you really want it you'd save.. and save.. and save.. and save.. then pray no bills pop up.

http://vinesteet.blogspot.com/

posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 12:50PM

I have been a fan of AIC for a while and I agree, these blatant copies are hardly the real thing. This is not about the price tag but about intellectual property. The post is not about cost but more so letting the smart consumer know that these cute little knock offs are supporting cheaper labor and large corporations on top of stealing ideas from artists who did it better to begin with. You can argue all you want about going to grad school and paying bills but like purchasing food from your local Co-op instead the "local" Walmart, there is a thin line between being economic and a wise consumer. If you are a true style-o-phile you would know!

posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 1:27PM

I cannot stand Steve Maddens sh*t.I've been feeling something icky about his stuff for a while, never mind how his ballet flats always hurt.
not even made well, no benefit. just cheap.there are better low price lines out there.

posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 1:35PM

ewwwwwwww a knock-off!! get it away, get it away!!!!

posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 2:01PM

do you think mcqueen cares this much? honsetly most of the time people get upset about knock offs is because the common person can now get what they have at a much lower price. threatens their sense of elitism. besides, most of the time the things that get knocked off aren't even original in the first place. the knock off can't be too out there, or the general public won't get it or accept it.

will we ever, as a society, move past the whole "labels make the person" ideal? i can assure you that your chanel logo t shirt is no better made then an american apparel one. you pay the $$$ for the label, and the sense of prestige and self worth that it gives you.
i know this is beaten into the ground in every copyright post, but i couldn't help myself. sorry.

posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 2:36PM

Yeah, I agree 100%. I personally will not buy SM because his shoes hirt like anything. But I do get a laugh out of people getting all upset at the "inspired" stuff. They are only upset because other people spent less than $100 dollars on similar stuff they paid thousands of dollars for. No piece of fashion is 100% original. Even DVF wrap dress design is not original to her IMO. Why do you think there aren't more lawsuits out there?
It is also sad when people derive their self worth from labels.
Okay end of rant for the day.

posted by maladroite

Aug 31, 2009 3:05PM

While you can tell from that picture right away that the Madden's quality is no match, I still wonder whether both pairs were made in some factory in China.

http://tdotfashion.blogspot.com

posted by RashomonRebel

Aug 31, 2009 3:40PM

What you would expect from a man who doesn't pay his taxes.

posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 4:05PM

i am sorry # 2, 4 people like you are the ones that make happy i am getting away from this industry. I am sorry i am not going to try to count pennies forever for one pair of shoes, and pray that a bill does not happen. Guess what a bill is life and i am not going to stay in my house forever for a pair of shoes. I moved past that shallow existence. Do not judge people because of what shoes they wear. Maybe they knew it was a knockoff but refuse to spend hundreds of dollars for a one season pair of shoes. Seriously nothing is original in the mass market anympore everything is copied off of everyone. Just some spend more money on it

posted by guest

Aug 31, 2009 4:49PM

Steve Madden has taken a liking to traveling down to TopShop as well and buying a few here and there or perchin on the bench and sketchin his lil' heart out, but to change the slightest detail and perch them in his windows in less than two weeks. My heart goes out to the factory workers slavin for his "quick creativity".

posted by Amber

Sep 01, 2009 12:51AM

Oh fuck no. Those McQueen booties are on my wishlist.

posted by purpleglamour

Sep 01, 2009 10:16AM

I did a post about this on my blog a couple of weeks ago. They are already on preorder!

posted by Narrative

Sep 01, 2009 10:37AM

Right now, it's hard to say that copyright law helps designers fight designer knockoffs, which is why DVF and others are lobbying Congress for a design protection law. Of course, this isn't the same thing as a knock-off of a logo bag, which is protectable under trademark law, because of the logos.

posted by Karen

Sep 24, 2009 6:50AM

I have the SM syrena knock off. I honestly don't think the SM customer even knows that there wearing a "knock off" me on the other hand was totally aware...blatant copy but hey its the American way. I am a huge fan of McQueen I purchased the "knock off" for my quick fix because this boot is like a fad its not really classic I couldn't possible wear this for too long. In 6months these will be a long gone memory.... my point is trendy=save & classic= slurge :-) RECESSIONISTA!