The Steve Madden version came first, then the Target by Tressa, but why copy at all?

We think Steve's were probably inspired by Juicy Couture, lover of useless chains, but the truly interesting aspect of this one is that a mass brand is knocking off another mass brand, which means that Steve Madden shoppers are much more likely to buy the Target pair, seeing as how they're almost $40 cheaper.

This is definitely a case of stealing a customer base - not to mention, a case of really ugly shoes.

Still, that's what's sort of happening, thanks to the copycat masterminds at Forever 21.

The scheming stealers recently put up this "rosette dress" for $29.90, but of course, that's not where it originated:

Phillip Lim stuck it on his Spring '08 runway, and now it resides on Net-a-Porter - for $595.

Too much for a silk shift?

Absolutely.

One more example of an innovative designer getting royally screwed?

Yes, that too.

Reader Jessica e-mailed this tiered shift dress with a black bodice and a layered skirt in the prettiest retro, (Marc Jacobs?) colors. We actually love the dress.

Too bad its design was snatched off Jonathan Saunders' Fall '07 runway.

The skirt's fabric's a bit flouncier and they were courteous enough to change the color of the bottom layer from a vivid yellow to a buttery shade.

We know being copied is the highest form of flattery, but somehow we don't think Jonathan would be too thrilled.

Then we saw another at Forever 21, which struck us as odd. Why are mass retailers knocking off a shoe that's nearly four years old? Maybe the new strategy is to knock off old designs and hope no one will remember far back enough to notice.

The only real difference between the two is the heel - but we imagine 5-inch stilettos wouldn't have gone over well at a $20 price point anyway - and, of course, the Louboutin red soles, which would have actually been kind of funny.

-- JAZZI McGILBERT

We love a good steal from our favorite megastore, but draping should be left to those with quality fabric and serious skills. Plus, the dress doesn't really fit the fashion-for-the-masses mold.

After wondering aloud where they got the idea, we dropped the subject until we came across this gorgeous Alberta Ferretti frock.

Our first thought was, "Hello, Lauren Conrad!" And our second was, "Um, looks like Target scrolls Net-a-Porter as much as we do."

So Target, if you're listening, we love what you've done with mass fashion and please call Mr. Alexander McQueen to design the next GO International collection.

But leave the intricate draping, pleating, flowing silk look to those with access to Italian fabric mills.

"Definitely trying to be Balenciaga," she says.

Sure - unless they're definitely trying to be part of a Toys 'R Us ad on acid.

The "Bukled Bright Multi" shoe costs $99.95 which is about an eighth of what the Balenciaga lego shoes cost. They boast a four-inch heel and an e-commerce option.

Dignity and batteries not included.

It's an obvious knock-off of Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel vision - but at least it's not as direct a copy as this bag.

Designer Marc B is selling this "Oversized Quilted Chain Clutch" on the British chain site ASOS. The website likes to sell things "in the style of" Lindsay Lohan or Sienna Miller, but it rarely, if ever, rips off something as iconic as the Chanel 2.55 bag.

When we see such blatant rip-offs, we always wonder, who actually buys this stuff when there are a million adorable quilted vintage bags out there for a fraction of the price of this bad copy?

But then again, I'm buying the romper, and I bet Karl would think that's a pretty bad rip-off...

It was a defining moment for Miu Miu because it was sort of a wakeup call:

Whoa, we all said, This is really young, and really hip, and way underrated, isn't it?

It was also the season that Miu Miu prices positively skyrocketed, to the point where a M.M. bag cost the same, if not more, than a Prada bag of the same size - and this was shocking, and a bit obnoxious, considering that Miu Miu is supposed to be the secondary line. What if a Marc by Marc bag cost $1000?

Anyway, yesterday we were walking down 11th St. in the East Village and we see this dress by Min-K - whom you may remember for making the insane Cameron Diaz "best dressed" frock of last year, as well as a series of Lindsay/ Sienna tops that the two wore as dresses, with tights.

This time, Min-K is not offering a starlet cover-up, but instead a knock off of Jessica Stam's Miu Miu dress. It would be darling on its own, but alas.

There's always a kind of moral dilemma that happens when you see a knock off of something you can't buy anymore, because you're like, "But it's not on sale now, so why not?"

Perhaps we should ask The Ethicist.

We expect Forever 21 to rip off guys and gals like Marc, Diane and Christian - but Marni?!

The Italian label's black balloon bag will forever remind us of Spring '08 fashion week, when we saw the coolest European editors toting it all over Manhattan. It's the go-to label for hip girls who want an awesome bag that refrains from logos and the label "It".

But now even Marni has trickled down about as low as a design can go - until Canal Street of course.

Forever 21's version looks like it's made out of a garbage bag and Marni's leather looks baby soft, even online.

That must be why it costs a million times more. That, and it's an original design.

We'll just keeping dreaming about this tinsel bag instead.

During fashion week, we saw them on the feet of our favorite fashion editors, the youngest models and the most dolled up socialites.

So we're pretty sure most of the fashion pack and then some are super familiar with the shoe. And therefore, we're wondering who Oscar de la Renta thinks will buy his $665 version?

Sure they're gold, and have studded markings instead of actual metal studs, but, well, you get it.

Some girl on MySpace is making the Sonic Youth totes from the Marc Jacobs show.

And she's selling them on the internet!

We didn't know those things were so in demand -

We use ours to carry food from the grocery store.

It's way bigger than the I am not a Plastic Bag.

Anyway...