In an effort to raise awareness about design piracy this week, we have been featuring some examples of Nasty Gal's direct copies of emerging designer pieces. We initially gave Nasty Gal the benefit of the doubt, knowing that retailers do not always intentionally seek out copies, but after continually finding a multitude of copies on Nasty Gal's site, we decided that coincidence is not the case here. We asked Nasty Gal founder, Sophia Amoruso, to remove the blatant copies that Nasty Gal passes off as its own. The company's business model of copying is especially problematic as it consistently and deliberately targets the designs of young, and essentially vulnerable, design brands that are still establishing themselves in the industry. Unlike Chanel, which acted extremely ethically when we requested that the French design house remove a copy from its collection last year, Amoruso's response to our requests: "You're a bully. Go away." Since Amoruso refuses to respect the creations of others, please consider shopping the real thing or shop on a site that is not completely ignorant to the unethical and harmful nature of design piracy. [If you need a reminder on how design piracy affects young brands, read Lazaro Hernandez's (of Proenza Schouler) testimony here]. See the Nasty Gal highlights from this week below ...
Proenza Schouler is a young brand whose founders consistently fight against design piracy making this Nasty Gal's most ironic knock-off.
It's no secret Cushnie et Ochs is a TFL favorite and we were dismayed to see this rising new brand's styles copied by Nasty Gal - AGAIN. Although there is very little difference between the two company's designs, you can be assured there is a massive difference in quality.
Karen Walker is THE go-to designer for fabulous sunnies; a fact not lost on Nasty Gal. The site has decided to use Karen Walker's popularity to their advantage, by selling exact copies of the designer's most famous designs.
You'd think a company with a recent investment of $40 million could hire some designers with a unique vision. We are sure that is what the designers of Contrarian are thinking when an EXACT copy of their Bib dress was featured on Nasty Gal's site.
Remember, You Can't Fake Fashion. Be real, buy real.
You're a bully?! What on earth are they if they are using the work of young designers and passing it off as their own?! Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteBemsy
http://redheadtalkin.blogspot.co.uk
Well, I'd rather be a bully than a design pirate!
DeleteWOW. she needs to learn what "bullying means". Haha. I the fashion law even said "please" hahaha. It was done in a polite way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence!
DeleteGo Fashion Law! Everything about Nasty Gal is trash.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I don't think everything is trash, but the vast majority (the imitations, copies and trademark infringing goods) is!
DeleteYou should do your research.
ReplyDeleteNone of those items you've listed were designed by Nasty Gal designers. These are vendors/designers that exist in the open market who sell to retailers other than Nasty Gal alone. Buyers are human and can be ignorant to the fact that the purchase they are making is a knock off of another designer. HOWEVER, if you notice the ethic of Sophia in the past, when a buyer has unknowingly purchased a blatant rip-off - those pieces have been taken off the site. Though, in this specific instance of Cushnie et Ochs, a leather hem-line on a basic black dress? This isn't exactly a ground breaking design. Three examples below:
http://www.lyst.com/clothing/sachin-babi-ponte-dress-venus-with-leather-trim-at-hem-jet/
http://fashionfinder.asos.com/womens-Missguided/Kalanita-Leather-Drop-Hem-Skirt-1828695
http://www.salesgossip.co.uk/blog/2012/12/03/dvf-jumper-dress/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mimi-Turner-Dress-Size-4-Black-Patent-Leather-Pleat-Hem-Stretch-Drop-Waist-/271088099795?pt=US_CSA_WC_Dresses&hash=item3f1e1c21d3
Thank you for your comment. The argument you make is similar to the one Forever 21 consistently makes - that its their suppliers' fault not theirs for knockoffs, unethical labor practices, etc. Based solely on the percentage of goods on the Nasty Gal site that are copies, it is impossible that the Nasty Gal buyers are coincidently buying copies. As for Sophia's ethic, read this post and you'll get a taste of her "ethic" ... http://www.fashion-law.org/2013/01/nasty-gal-says-design-piracy-is-rite-of.html#.USvJ-46RPzI.
DeleteWhen you show that Nasty Gal has copied something truly unique - not fairly bland, common pieces that happen to be also made by young designers - then you may have a point. Until then, saying that you asked Nasty Gal to remove items based on a single tweet you sent to the founder promoting your own website does not bode well for your case as a "serious" fashion entity.
ReplyDeleteHi, Abby. If you speak with the designers of these "fairly bland" pieces, they do not share your view. What you refer to as bland pieces are often well made, well designed garments. In terms of Sophia Amoruso, this is not my first time dealing with her. In fact, I have played a large role in having items removed from her site in the past for trademark infringement. Further, my attempts to help protect original designs are not self-promotion. But I see your point and appreciate your input.
DeleteIs Zara doing almost the same?
ReplyDeleteOh by the way, you should do a post on Inditex child labour (would be interesting)
Yes. Zara is not not gulit-free by any means, and funny you mention that - I have been meaning to do a piece on Inditex for some time! Keep an eye out for a piece to come!
Delete