American Apparel versus Urban Outfitters
When I heard that Maria Cornejo tried her luck in Washington, DC along with Thakoon Panichgul, Narciso Rodriguez, and Jason Wu, lobbying for a copyright law on clothing designs, I couldn't help but think of Urban Outfitters brazen rip-off of American Apparel's designs this season.
But what's really at stake here? Well, I'll admit, I'm the first person to head to Forever 21 to look for a dress similar to that to-die-for Betsey Johnson dress I saw on the Spring runway. But let's be honest, I'll be paying $20 for a low quality dress that I could probably wear no more than twice. I am sacrificing quality, and that's okay with me as long as the price tag is SUBSTANTIALLY different.
But when another designer completely rips off your design and then charges MORE for it, that's when I get really confused. How could Urban Outfitters blatantly copy the interlock skirt, figure skater dress, pocket skirt, afrika print leggings, to name a FEW and then charge MORE?!
The United States and China are the only two countries which do not have copyright infringement laws when it comes to fashion design. In the UK, a designer has the right to sue anyone who copies his/her garment.
Stores such as Target, H&M, and Uniqlo gives us the chance to purchase low priced designer duds that are created by the actual designer thanks to a myriad of designer collaborations. A designer catering to celebrities and the upper crust such as Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Balmain (...you get the point) is less threatened by a copy at Forever 21 because their customers would not dare step foot there. But as American Apparel are competitors, this is where I see the need for a copyright law in the world of fashion design.
Your thoughts?
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