Fashion Fraud

By Ellen Klawunn

In a cut throat industry, one of the biggest problems for fashion designers are knock-offs. Retailers like Forever 21 are known for selling copy-cat fashions at affordable prices, but more designers are beginning to fight back against the many, many counterfeiters. Not only are designers voicing their opinions about the design copies, some designers and design firms are going as far as suing the counterfeiters. 

Large companies with considerable resources have won cases and used other means to try to fight the counterfeiting. In addition to counterfeit bags and clothing being sold at flea markets and stands on streets in New York City, the web has made it possible for many more counterfeit items to be sold. Burberry and Hermés have both won huge trademark lawsuits against websites in China.

Although she has recently rescinded the fee, Vera Wang had a near $500 “try-on” fee at her store in Shanghai, to prevent customers from trying gowns on simply to see the cut and design, and then copy it. Wang originally put the fee in place because the majority of copied designs come from China. The fee was removed because it caused a lot of discriminatory outrage, as the fee was only in place in China.

Etsy, known for its small online shops that allow designers to sell their handmade and custom products, has become a home for counterfeiters. Independent designers have found Etsy shops selling copies of their designs, and some even going as far as using the designers own images. An independent designer, Elizabeth Dye, based out of Portland, Oregon, discovered that her wedding gowns were being copied in China and sold online at a tenth of her price. After discovering her gowns were being copied, Dye also realized that images from her blog were also stolen and posted to the Etsy site selling the knock off gowns.

2008 “Project Runway” winner, Leanne Marshall, first noticed that her own designs were copied and sold on Etsy. Marshall models some of her own designs and noted that the Etsy page was using images of her. Although Etsy has been made aware, the pages have remained online and continued selling. Many small and independent designers simply don’t have the means to pursue lawsuits against counterfeiters.

While it is difficult for small designers, legislation has been proposed by Senator Charles E. Schumer to allow designers register and copyright their designs for up to three years. Supporters of the legislation argue that “fashion designers deserve the same protections as songwriters for their creativity.” While those against the legislation argue that it could hinder creativity and innovation, lawyers representing companies in lawsuits against counterfeiters overseas have noted that 600,000 copycat gowns were sold online in the last year alone, which is “hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue,” for all of the designers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/fashion/weddings/wedding-gown-designers-face-copycat-dresses-made-cheaply.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://news.yahoo.com/vera-wang-scraps-500-china-try-fee-knockoffs-072732914--sector.html

Rue 52 - Crepes for You

By DerShar Myers

A new eat in/out spot has opened up in west Philadelphia. Cafe Rue 52 is an up-and-coming and French inspired, coffee spot located on 52nd Street (hence the name Rue 52). They specialize in your ordinary caffeinated drinks, but that is not all. They also serve crepes! That is right, they have added to the relatively small number of crepe eateries in Philly!

   

The interesting thing about these crepes are the names. The owner of the cafe/creperie, Mahari Bailey, decided to name each dish after a notable landmark in Philadelphia! One is called the Broad Street Run, and another named the Ben Franklin! Clever right? 

I visited the new cafe one weekend and was pleasantly surprised to see that the overall feel of the cafe was very laid-back and chill. A place where a student could do homework, without all the noise. There was nothing but art on the walls and the music playing was very relaxing. Its vibe is very different from cafes that you would see on Baltimore Avenue or in Northern Liberties. There is a lack of “trend” in this cafe. You don’t feel as though you’re going to find hipsters and new age hippies chatting about what they don’t like about the world. Instead, you will see many people from the neighborhood, everyday people, that just want their coffee and a crepe. 

All in all, this is a really great spot. Nothing is overwhelming or trendy about it. It’s a great place to chill and eat, and it's a great place to do homework. So, check out Cafe Rue 52. I truly hope that this place becomes more popular.

The Great Gatsby meets Brooks Brothers

By: Jenny Fulton

Oscar award winning costume designer, Catherine Martin who designed for the highly anticipated film based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, partnered with Brooks Brothers to create a limited-edition line of men’s clothing inspired by the costumes in the film.  Out this month, The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrman, has clothing inspired by the roaring ‘20s, in which the novel and movie are set, and so the line of menswear will have a dapper Gatsby feel to each and every piece.

This limited collection has The Great Gatsby logo sewn into the tag of each garment.  Each leading male in the novel has his signature piece featured in the collection.   “Brooks Brothers is mentioned numerous times in Fitzgerald’s writings as a representation of the ultimate gentleman’s purveyor of fine clothing to the American man of distinction…It is this most basic and fundamental connection that has made our collaboration so authentic,” Catherine Martin said in a release.

This specific partnering is one of the best collaborations the movie industry has seen in a while because it makes sense.  Brooks Brothers is known for the All-American preppy-polo look and elegant style.  Let’s just say this exclusive line of clothing for men will give Kourtney Kardashian’s baby daddy, Lord Scot Disick, extra clothing to add to his already stellar wardrobe.