Inspiration = Flattery? Kate Spade Enchantment Under the Sea Coin Purse vs ModCloth Carp Diem

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

Obviously shoes are not the only thing that can and will be knocked-off by some sites.

Case in point…

Kate Spade each season puts out a whimsical little coin purse to go along with their current collection.  From tennis balls to owls to pineapples and hedgehogs, they are a cute little luxe item.  A few seasons back they created the Enchantment Under the Sea fishy.  I loved the crinkly gold and the clever use of the clutch opening to create a wide mouth.

But now this piece has been almost exactly recreated and listed for sale on ModCloth as the Carp Diem Clutch.

I hate to keep picking on ModCloth but they keep insisting on picking up knock-offs.  Either they know it and are okay with that (hello TopShop!) or they are woefully ignorant of what’s out and popular in the fashion world.  I mean, this isn’t my job and I can see these examples in 2 seconds, shouldn’t their buyers know better?

Or are they more about selling cute (albeit not original designs) to the masses???

Thoughts?

UPDATE 7-2-12 2:31pm: ModCloth has responded and is taking down the piece –

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We’re committed to supporting original designs and the valid intellectual property of all designers, and our designers and suppliers guarantee that they have full legal ownership and copyright to their designs. We’re removing the Carp Diem Purse from our site based on your feedback, and if you have any follow-up questions, please contact press@modcloth.com. Thanks again, Turi at ModCloth

Thank you for your response, ModCloth!

Le Sigh – Manolo Blahnik Fall/Winter 2012 Collection

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

Manolo Blahnik is killing me with his Fall/Winter 2012 collection.  Gorgeous fabrics.  Clever embellishments.  Perfect heel shapes.  Basically my style – classic shapes with unique elements.

From baroque fabric and ribbons to french knots to jeweled buckles, they’re lush and lovely.  I see he’s still using his BB heel but also candlestick shapes as well as well-balanced weightier options. And the colors are great as always.

Here are my favorites but you can see the full collection here.

Position on Platforms

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

When we were in NYC last weekend, I made time to stop at the Saks Fifth Avenue Shoe Floor.

Of course, right?!?

Both Bergdorfs and Saks were having a major sale and shoes (and ladies) were all over the place.  While I love a good sale, situations like that tend to overwhelm me (which is another reason why I shop online so much) so I ended up not purchasing a single shoe.

But I did linger for a moment by the Fall 2012 Miu Miu display.  As always, the Miu Miu line had some of my favorite designs for the season with great curvy heels and glitter perfection.

But as I was standing there admiring the heels, I heard the most shocking thing!

My husband, who doesn’t opinion often on the fashion front, stated he thought platforms were trashy!

What, what, WHAT!!!!

Not that this statement would stop me from wearing a platformed heel (especially that blue and gold studded number above) but I was floored.  I see quirky and maybe clunky-ly adorable but not cheap or anything.  Bizarre! Sure some platformed heels can have a “bad reputation” but not all of them.

What do you think?  Do you think all platforms look tacky or are some saved by their design and materials?

Sneaking in Sneaks – Tretorn, Broadhurst and Kate Spade

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

Finally back after my recent adventures in New York (more on that later)!

 I was excited to nab the last pair of Broadhurst/Tretorn/Kate Spade sneaks when I visited their Broome street store.

I wore them the very next day!  I think the black and white are all sold out but you can still nab the aqua and coral options on sale.

They are super comfortable, cute and perfect for walking around the city!

Ready for Resort

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

While my favorite collections are typically for the Fall/Winter seasons, I have to admit I have a soft spot in my heart for Resort.

 Centered on fun, frivolity and vacation glamour, many designers use this small season to break out their whimsical and witty sides. Here are two of my favorites from this season.

Brian Atwood went with candy pastels – more vibrant than the ice cream sundae colors of spring.  An evolution in to the jewel tones for fall.

Sophia Webster, a new name to me and a former Kirkwood designer, has put out layered, bold designs in acid bright neons. I’m excited to see how she grows.  You can see the Kirkwood influence but with her own playful spirit.

Vacation is a time when you can relax and follow your own desires.  It’s great to see designers get to do a bit of that as well.

Wrapped up in Neon

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

I didn’t get a giant pink neon purse but I think the pops of neon work better than a huge swath of these bright colors.. at least on me

So I was really drawn to the La Mer neon pink simple wrap watches.    Since watches are no longer necessary, they need to be fun.

These watches are so fun.  I love the triple-wrap band. And with a classic face and on trend colors – neon pink, yellow and green and even more – under $100 – these watches are easy to love.

Very Valentino – Valentino Rockstud Kitten Heels

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

Waaaaayyyy back in October of 2010, I fell in love with the Valentino Rockstud kitten heels.  I ordered them from Net-a-Porter (UK) but they were too small (shocking!) and at the time I felt it was best to return them.

What a fool I was!

Even though this collection is almost 2 years old, the Rockstuds are still going strong. Evolving into new styles and onto iPad sleeves and purses.  So I’ve been pining over them for ages, but never found the classic strappy kitten heel in black patent and tan again.

But finally they are back and, 18 months later, I have them again.

This time I sized up to a 35.5 and I have to say they are one of the comfiest shoes I own.  I love the height and and the twinkly pyramid studs.

I’m so glad to welcome a bit of Valentino into my life!

Shoe/box image via Phiphisblog

Inspiration = Flattery? Prada Fall 2011 Mary Jane vs ModCloth Girl of my Dreams Heel

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

I don’t typically do two posts on knock-offs in a row but today has been a day filled with them.

 From Jeffrey Campbell (right) straight up thievery from Simone Rocha (left) with their lucite heeled oxford wedges…

 and now this…

I was looking for neon heels when I came upon these Girl of my Dream heels via ModCloth.  And I was stopped in my tracks.  Not because of the bright neon orange color.

But because they are a straight lift from the Fall 2011 Prada RTW runway mary janes.

These mary janes were done as pumps and boots and sandals.  What made them distinctive was the wide strap, that large button and the curvy heel.  All combined to exaggerate the mary jane style and create a new design.  A design created by Prada and “leveraged” by Jeffrey Campbell.

I don’t know why I’m surprised by Jeffrey Campbell or Steve Madden and their stealing of designs.  I scrolled through a page of JC’s on Shopbop and it was nearly every shoe or boot.  They were almost all a lift from a more innovative talented company, just taken and tweaked ever so slightly.

I’ve said it before and I will continue to do so… this is intellectual property theft.  If you admire a designer and their work but you can’t get it or can’t afford it, do you really think it’s better to dilute their work so they, eventually, can’t continue to create or are you fine with someone coming along, dumbing their work down and mass producing it.

Do you support the artists or the thieves

Inspiration = Flattery? Prada Flame Wedge vs ModCloth All Fired Up Wedge

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

I was not surprised when I saw a flame related accessory on ModCloth today. I mean, with Hunger Games and Katniss as “The Girl on Fire” it’s bound to happen.

But I was surprised to see a wedge with obvious (although poorly executed IMO) knocked off elements.

The Prada Spring/Summer 2012 collection was filled with fiery heels, especially the blazing wedge.  Sure the pair from ModCloth are chunkier and simpler but the shape of the straps and flames at the ankle are identical. 

Haven’t we been here before ModCloth?  Ignorance of your buyers is not an excuse.  I mean, this is a major shoe for the S/S 2012 season.  Do your buyers just not follow the fashion news and world or are they actively looking for “inspired by” pieces?

I know some will argue that it’s making a style available to more people, with just enough distance to not be a true knockoff. And that’s probably true.  I still think it’s too close.

Thoughts?

Flame on cobblestone image via Elle.