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Adventures in Copyright Nov 4, 2009 @ 4:35pm

Adventures in Copyright: Cold Shoulder

by Steff Yotka

We felt a little confused today when we came across this Cynthia Rowley dress on shopbop.com.

With Paris SS10 shows still on our minds, Cynthia’s dress immediately reminded us of this Karl Lagerfeld look. The halter neck, cut-out shoulders, and wide waist belt are strikingly similar—though the rest of the design is obviously different. (And we’re not going to lie and say we don’t like one more than the other. We’re sure you can guess which one.)

But Cynthia’s dress is from her FW09 collection, meaning that if anyone was guilty of copying its neckline, it would be Karl.

Could be sheer coincidence or not…what do you think? We’d very much like to hear your thoughts on the matter!

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posted by RashomonRebel

Nov 04, 2009 4:56PM

No, this does not qualify as an AIC.

posted by grammyweezy

Nov 04, 2009 4:57PM

I don't think they're super similar- the halters, while both halters, are different and the shape of the shoulder pieces are different also. The Cynthia Rowley one is beyond ugly.

posted by guest

Nov 04, 2009 5:32PM

I like this post! I think the overall similarity between the two looks is a coincidence born from many common design elements being put together in a similar way. These designs illustrate how difficult it is to create functional anti-plagiarism laws in the fashion industry; although blatant copying occurs all too frequently neither Karl nor Cynthia are reinventing the halter here!

posted by guest

Nov 04, 2009 6:46PM

After I read this I said "WHAT?" "WHAT?" out loud. I was shocked that the "Kaiser" has allegedly copied a look from CYNTHIA Rowley. I think they are two very different designers!

posted by ehron

Nov 04, 2009 7:03PM

cynthia rowley obviously went forward in time and copied the kaiser. the kaiser copies NOBODY.

posted by guest

Nov 04, 2009 7:04PM

There is a very distinct difference between the two dresses: Karl's is superior. Poor choice of material on the Cynthia one.

posted by Amber

Nov 04, 2009 7:06PM

I wouldn't qualify this as an Adventures in Copyright either, and along with the general consensus, the Kaiser would never do such a thing!

posted by guest

Nov 04, 2009 7:22PM

I love how you jump to Karl's defense and think he would never do such a thing, why?

posted by Justina

Nov 04, 2009 7:24PM

I don't think they look all that similar.

posted by omfg

Nov 04, 2009 7:24PM

I am so effing bored of this sort of post at Fashionista. Get obsessed with something other than "OMG TWO DESIGNERS WITH SIMILAR DESIGNS!"

It just sounds like you're excessively thrilled to have the ability to recognize a dress that looks vaguely like some more prestigious designer's dress.

Blaaaaah blaaaaaaah blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

posted by guest

Nov 04, 2009 9:21PM

there is no way karl even knows who cynthia rowley is, or would ever look at her collection for ideas-no way!

posted by guest

Nov 04, 2009 9:54PM

maybe if you provided larger images I could provide some insight...

posted by guest

Nov 04, 2009 11:43PM

i could see that they look somewhat similar but the materials seem to be very different.
not saying because it's karl but i like karl's version more but because i like more structured looks
hmm i can't decide, guess if i get a closer look..

posted by berryberry

Nov 05, 2009 2:34AM

I agree with #3, it was well said and well observed. In addition to that, I don't think the design is anywhere similar, though Karl's is better. Rowley's will be good sleeveless but that's my uneducated opinion.

posted by guest

Nov 05, 2009 4:04AM

Why is everyone so quick to defend Karl? He's a marketing genius, not an innovative God of design. People, get real...read Alicia Drake's A Beautiful Fall and form an opinion outside of journalists who are most likely biased because of their friendship with Karl.

posted by guest

Nov 05, 2009 11:05AM

Why would it be a coincidence when Karl does it, and not when Steve Madden does it? Just admit that all designers (no matter how ridiculous the price point) rip each other off constantly. Time to move on.

posted by adristar

Nov 05, 2009 1:10PM

they look so similar! although the rowley one is pretty ugly, and i'd hate to think that karl is so hard up for designs he's ripping off her...! but i think they're sufficiently different that it's not copyright infringement.

posted by Suki Menkes

Nov 05, 2009 3:13PM

The halter straps and construction are totally different. The only similarity is the color - black!

posted by guest

Nov 06, 2009 2:50PM

Karl just wanted to show Cynthia how to do it right.
Honestly, Cynthia's dress is pretty uninspiring.

Both looked to have taken some trends and slapped them together.

The Kaiser just does it MUCH better. Karl FTW!

posted by killinitwithkim

Nov 06, 2009 6:03PM

These neckline/dress designs are not close enough to call one or another a knock off.

posted by Alain Marzat

Nov 09, 2009 7:27AM

Clearly this can only be a coincidence even though C.Rowley may have released a dress of the kind earlier. Dresses are very different in contructions and fit,the drop shoulder is the only common point.
In full objectivity this kind of dress belongs to the world of " couture " creations from years before therefore I would say it is more natural in Chanel's collection.
No offence to C.Rowley of course.
Alain Marzat
fashion designer and fashion Consultant. Paris . France

posted by guest

Nov 13, 2009 7:06AM

what's hilarious (and unsurprising) is that if it were the other way around--if cynthia rowley's dress hadn't been from a collection that came out earlier than karl lagerfield's--these catty fashionista chicks would've had no problem taking cynthia rowley to task for "copying." instead it's like, OH NO, CAN YOU BELIEVE, HE WOULD NEVER... WELL MAYBE THEY'RE NOT EVEN THAT SIMILAR... UHH...