Monday Question: What do you think of designer-inspired shoes?
Here at Shoewawa, we're forever pointing out shoes that have very obviously been "inspired" by designers like Christian Louboutin or Miu Miu, but which are being sold for a fraction of the price by high street stores. Now we'd like to know just what you think of these designer-inspired numbers. Do you buy them? Would you wear them? Or do you prefer to save up your money and splash out on the real thing?
For myself, I've admitted in the past to owning some cheaper versions of designer shoes. I have a pair of Nine West platforms which are dead ringers for Christian Louboutin's Bruges shoes, for instance, and a couple of pairs from the likes of New Look and Moda in Pelle which, although not directly inspired by a particular designer style, have nevertheless been given red soles - clearly in "tribute" to the great designer. (I should probably add that I haven't bought these shoes because of the red soles, but wouldn't refuse to buy them because of them either).
While I'm happy to keep on buying shoes that are genuinely "inspired" by designers, though, I would never buy a pair of out-and-out fakes (i.e. shoes which carry the name of a designer brand, even although they're not made by that brand) and I'm becoming increasingly turned-off by the very obvious copies being churned out by a couple of brands which shall remain nameless. And ultimately, if I had the money, I'd much rather buy the real thing.
What do you think? What's your position on designer-inspired shoes?
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Comments
Now that everyone and his/her dog is doing them, I can't help thinking red soles have lost their allure. Poor Christian must be thinking, What next? Green?
I think if you can afford Ls you should buy them; otherwise, steer clear of cheap copies and buy something more individual.
Posted by: Lottip | November 26, 2007 12:20 PM
I find them a bit pointless and sad. I'd rather wear an original pair of non-designer shoes than a pair of crappy shoes with red soles. It's not like people will believe that, suddenly, I can afford Loubutins!
Posted by: Regina | November 26, 2007 3:00 PM
I like it. For one, I don't think something as simple as red soles should be trademarked, though an entire shoe design perhaps should.
All the same I don't like that designer shoes are so overpriced and I really have no moral problem with knockoffs (the designer may have to line their pool with crystals and not diamonds?), whereas I have a moral problem with spending designer $$$ on cute shoes, when that same money could feed a family of 4 in an impoverished country for a year.
I know many do not agree. But, I have yet to be convinced by what they say.
Posted by: Miff | November 26, 2007 5:33 PM
I agree with you, Miff.
For those who can shell out 1000 dollars for a pair of shoes that look, wear, and feel like a pair of 100 dollar copycats, who cares? The only reason one should put out money for a pair of shoes is the quality, and if you can get that without spending an arm and a leg, what's the big deal? Send the extra 900 bucks to Unicef or something if you feel the need to justify a new pair of shoes with a massive dip in your bank balance.
Posted by: Jourdain | November 26, 2007 6:44 PM
well, ladies, let me tell you something....I bought the C.L. version at Bergdorf Goodman size 41 it looks great, however, they are very narrow and uncomfortable! Then i saw the Oh Deer version, I bought in Black and Wheat/Beige color and I tell you, they are absolutely great and comfortable. The only difference I see was the money I saved.. And I don;t think there's anything wrong is the inspired version I have.
Posted by: Erica Asahan | November 26, 2007 9:29 PM
I'm first to admit I own a lot of shoes that are inspired by catwalk trends. I have no issue so long as they're not out and out fakes. There has to be a slight difference.
I think the issue is when the big cheap brands take on smaller designers. It's one thing to copy the shape of a Prada shoe, it's another to sell something that's identical to a creation from someone who's still working out of a warehouse in Dalston with students who work for free, living off a few grand a year despite the Vogue photosoots.
This idea that all designers are swimming in champagne and diamonds just because their clothes sell for a lot of money is rubbish. Forever 21 has a lot more money than a lot of the designers it chooses to replicate, for example...so I applaud the ones that have taken legal action. If someone ripped me off I'd want justice, too!
Posted by: Gemma | November 27, 2007 11:22 AM
There is an interesting discussion about Christian Louboutin shoes and the knock-offs on the Manolo shoeblog:
http://shoeblogs.com/2007/11/28/dissent-at-the-blog-of-the-manolo
Posted by: Mary | November 29, 2007 4:33 AM
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