https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 07:53:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388743 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:38:22 +0000 Angie 388743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, I think it's inevitable and a reality. And I am not fazed by the copy cat phenomenon at all. I like Zara to knock things off </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388738 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:33:51 +0000 Rachel 388738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="http://nplusonemag.com/the-accidental-bricoleurs" rel="nofollow">http://nplusonemag.com/the-accidental-bricoleurs</a><br /> Another interesting article on Forever 21 and the rise of fast fashion.</p> <p>The article Anna linked to makes it clear that copying a design is an accepted part of their business startegy and if they are sued regarding it, then thats fine because they have made a lot of money ripping of other designs and not being sued, so the occasional settlement is not that costly overall.</p> <p>I'm not altogether sure how I feel on the issue. If I go into a chain store and an item there has been copied from a high end designer, I'm not going to know. I can't afford those items so don't even look at them. I agree that copying the exact prints is going too far but copying a silhouette with a slightly different pattern doesn't matter in my mind because it's making fashion affordable for the masses.<br /> A very interesting article Anna, it's made me think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388732 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:14:51 +0000 catgirl 388732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So Angie, are you saying it's inevitable, or just reality, or that you think it's horrible, or something else? I'm really curious!</p> <p>Anna, I agree with you on the copyright issues. That to me is what draws the line between legal and not legal. If it's so precious that it belongs to that designer alone, then take the trouble to protect it. </p> <p>I copy stuff from Sundance all the time when I make jewelry, because I cannot believe the markup on things that I can literally make for pennies (freshwater pearls and leather?!). Granted, I'm not selling them to a giant consumer market. And look at all the books that have been "knocked off" from the Twilight or Harry Potter series. Quality breeds not so quality imitation everywhere, for better or worse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388682 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 02:13:56 +0000 Angie 388682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was a fashion buyer for many years, and trust me - this happens ALL the time!! By H&amp;M, by Zara, by so many retailers. </p> <p>Just look at how my Valentino bag was knocked off! Loads of bag manufacturers are copying the Valentino rose and flower. Truth is that it is not the same product - hence the word "knock-off". </p> <p>In fact, SW and Chanel virtually have the identical ballet flat in at the moment. I tried on both! The Chanel logo gave it away. </p> <p>I guess I am very hardened by this copy-cat reality. I am very used to it and desensitized. It's part and parcel of the glorious Rag Trade </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388645 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:11:45 +0000 Diana 388645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to agree with Anna here. Some of the examples of F21's ripoffs shown in the article are pretty egregious. I think the article's author makes a very good point too in mentioning how European stores like H&amp;M and Zara do not make exact copies of designer items but rather make things with a similar overall look. There's a huge difference between a Chanel-esque jacket and an exact copy of an actual Chanel jacket. The problem is that F21 appears to be making *exact copies* of designer items, including such copyrighted items as fabric patterns. </p> <p>Questions of legality aside, I'd also argue that it *does* in fact matter to high end designers whether or not there are low-end knockoffs of their items. In general, a real Chanel is going to be high-quality fabric, impeccably tailored, and made with a great deal of care. A fake one is most likely going to be poor quality, cheap fabric, etc. Usually it's obvious that it's a fake, but nevertheless the designer and the design house most certainly would not want their name or logo associated with something so poorly and cheaply made. I'd argue that fakes dilute the reputation of a brand for high quality, attention to detail, etc. I also think it's rather disrespectful of the designer as an artist, although I highly doubt that a company like F21 cares about that.</p> <p>I *do* think that in most cases the consumer is blameless here. I'd guess that most people walking into F21 have no idea that the dress they are buying is an exact replica of a designer dress, and just want it because it is pretty, or trendy, or whatever. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388642 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:04:21 +0000 taylor 388642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unless they are truly trying to pass these garments off as originals no one is fooled or hurt. Fashion influences fashion...It effects trends and style right on from the hairstyles to shoes. By tweaking the fabric design ever so little it doesn't infringe on copyrights..</p> <p>Don't you think that big designers steal from past era's...that is where all the retro looking stuff come from. Nothing is new or original...it is all a throwback from some past era.</p> <p>This is exactly why H&amp;M and Forever 21 do so well...everyone wants to dress like a celeb,or current and a bit trendy...few can afford it the good stuff...especially 16-24 yr. olds, who after all is thier target group. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388638 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:49:03 +0000 lyn* 388638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Watch out chewy, someone might copyright boxy t-s! :p </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388637 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:47:43 +0000 annagybe 388637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But the main focus of the article is about textile design, which can and is copyrighted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388634 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:33:38 +0000 chewyspaghetti 388634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In a word Anna- yes.<br /> Not all of us can afford to pay thousands of dollars for a single piece of clothing. Should I go naked because I can't afford designer labels, or relegate myself to boxy tees from KMart? I hardly think that knock off fashion designs are comparable to stealing. These ideas can be the influence of all the current ideas around us (there are so many innovative ideas that are invented in different places around the same time because the influences just seem to lead up to it, and fashion is the same way), or they can truly be copies. In either case, fashion styles aren't copyrighted- and there are reasons for that. As others have stated, high end design houses are not losing any business because cheaper retailers make knock offs. In my book, it's a nor harm, no foul situation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388632 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:14:05 +0000 annagybe 388632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So, if you can't afford it, it's ok to buy a stolen version since you didn't steal it yourself? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388628 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:06:01 +0000 Lori 388628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this article probably speaks more to those who actually lay down the cash for real designer label clothes, rather than those of us who rarely to never do so. I'm all for fashion on the cheap, if it's a knock-off or not. My money will not go to high-end designers anyway, the only way such pieces would end up in my closet is if I get really lucky thrifting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388612 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:36:50 +0000 Queen Mum 388612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>this reminds me that my white "movie star sunglasses" say "lucci" or something like that on the side. My son said the other day.."Mom, you do know that these aren't real Gucci's don't you?" gasp! haha- if anything I would think the knock offs help advertise for the designer labels.<br /> I don't shop at F21, but I'm also not going to let the knock off thing get my knickers in a wad. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388607 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:33:48 +0000 rae 388607@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>With clothing, though, I agree with AG that I don't think fast fashion is cannibalizing the sales of high end designers. Those who can buy the real thing probably wouldn't look twice at a F21, and those who can't buy the real thing might not even know there was a designer to knock off... I'm thinking of the Zara cat print romper that was so clearly based on Miu Miu (I didn't know Miu Miu existed until blogs started writing about the Zara version), or pretty much any installment of "the look for less" on Budget Babe's blog.</p> <p>Then again, I'm too cheap to shop at Ikea... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388593 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:43:14 +0000 annagybe 388593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good design can be done on the cheap (ie Ikea) without stealing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388589 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:27:37 +0000 rae 388589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think everyone rips off high end designers, too. You can almost always find an Aldo version of the latest designer shoes, for example... and then further down the price chain you will find a version by Target or F21, too. </p> <p>I understand that designers work hard to create great desing and (sometimes) great quality, but I sure as heck can't afford high-end designs and high-end materials. Does this mean I have to wear nothing but Fruit of the Loom? I would feel worse about F21 if these designers were even remotely attainable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388568 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:38:34 +0000 lyn* 388568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bought a pair of red-soled Le Chateau heels as a joke once ... I mean, no one SERIOUSLY is going to think they are Louboutins :p</p> <p>(Also, if they were, I wouldn't be klonking on them!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388567 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:36:30 +0000 taylor 388567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Doesn't everyone steal from high end designers? I thought Charlotte Russe did the same thing as does New York and Co. etc.</p> <p>I am not always sure what a knock off is when I am shopping, but i do know that I see the same shoes from Louboutin trickle down to a knock off version from Target. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388565 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:35:47 +0000 lyn* 388565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to love F21 ... but recently, I tried on a made-in-canada actual piece of adult clothing. Funny how it fits a ton better! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388563 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:32:28 +0000 catgirl 388563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting. While the copying part is annoying, I know that when I go into F21 I am not looking for a knock-off DVF or Prada specifically, nor would I even know one if I saw it. I'm just looking for a cheap trendy fix. And I doubt that shoppers buying the knock-offs are taking business away from anyone else, since people shopping at F21 are likely not otherwise going to be buying from ultra-expensive designers anyway. </p> <p>However, I fully agree that the legal issues regarding labor practices and copyright infringement are damning indeed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388557 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:26:26 +0000 April 388557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, it certainly is damning. Down to the fabric prints! Shame on them -- as if they didn't have enough shame for using sweatshop labor.</p> <p>I'm adding them to my list of places not to buy anything. American Apparel is already at the top of that list. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388555 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:23:05 +0000 Mo 388555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I have mixed feelings about this. I find many 'designers' clothes ridiculously overpriced and if F21 can make it for $30 (albeit in shoddier design and fabric) it makes it more accessible to the masses. But I also understand part of the designer price tag is in coming up with the design in the first place . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/article-about-forever-21#post-388549 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:12:41 +0000 annagybe 388549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's pretty damning.</p> <p><a href="http://jezebel.com/5822762/how-forever-21-keeps-getting-away-with-designer-knockoffs" rel="nofollow">http://jezebel.com/5822762/how.....-knockoffs</a> </p>