While browsing the web today I noticed something that made me do a double take. Black Halo has completely knocked off the RM by Roland Mouret Pigalle Wool Dress. While Black Halo’s version is due to ship on November 15th. RM’s has been around since it debut on the runway in January 2008.
The Roland Mouret Original
While it’s obvious who copied who in this case, it makes me upset because Roland Mouret is a very talented designer best known for the Galaxy dress (circa 20006) who recently made his return to the runway after a 2 year hiatus only to be knocked off.
You can note key differences between the 2 products.
RM the exposed zip goes all the way down the dress while Black Halo’s only goes to the hip
RM the has expertly tailored darts at the neck while Black Halo’s version uses sloppier looking tucks
RM’s hip creates a peplum that stands away from the body while Black Halo’s does not
RM is $2065 vrs Black Halo's is $385
Working in design myself, I do not support blatant knock-offs. I don’t mind designs that are inspired by, or in the style of, but it really bothers me when almost every detail from fabric, silhouette to color is copied. Behind every design, there is someone working really hard to create something beautiful and original. When you support fakes you support taking the thought process out of design and might as well hire a photocopier to do what "design" you want. If you want the look for less, you can buy designer collaborations (and lately there have been plenty to choose from, Thank you Target!) or DIY craft projects are also great. If you truly love the look, it's showing respect to the designer to not financially support the imitation.
1 comment:
So timely! I'm such a law school nerd--we briefly covered intellectual property in fashion. I want to pursue intellectual property because new ideas make the world a better (and prettier) place!
So far, designs are not protected because once the garment embodying the design is commercially available, it is technically considered to be in the public domain. Everyone has access to the public domain, so anybody can copy the designs.
Last year, the New York Times did an article regarding this: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/09/fashion/09ROW.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
By the way, love the site, keep it going.
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