Parody t-shirts: fan or foe?

[fashion doctor]

I read this post on Garance Doré's blog today and I am trying to figure out my own position on parody t-shirts. Is it counterfeit? humor? love? Can't decide...

http://www.garancedore.fr/en/2013/10/14/are-we-ballin-or-what/

I have to say that in my academic research, I've been interested in fans' relationship with pop culture brands (tv, fashion, sport)and thus this is a phenomenon that I find intriguing both personally and professionally.

 

[VersaceVixen009]

Well I know Heidi Slimane hates them, any one that has to do with the Saint Laurent brand gets immediately off the market

 

[fashion doctor]

Well I know Heidi Slimane hates them, any one that has to do with the Saint Laurent brand gets immediately off the market

Right. I guess you are referring to this:

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/arti...ithdraw-from-Colette-over-parody-T-shirt.html

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I remember seeing the T, but didn't know how upset he was about it ... I think I need one now Hey, Hedi ... Martha Stewart loves the parodies of her. George Bush Sr invited his SNL counterpart (Dana Carvey) to the White House and made sure to have his picture taken with him. I can only conclude you're way less cool than Martha and George ... :cool2:

 

[Luxx]

^ I remember seeing the T, but didn't know how upset he was about it ... I think I need one now Hey, Hedi ... Martha Stewart loves the parodies of her. George Bush Sr invited his SNL counterpart (Dana Carvey) to the White House and made sure to have his picture taken with him. I can only conclude you're way less cool than Martha and George ... :cool2:

Truth!

And even if one finds the parody annoying they can be a good sport about it.

 

[AnaO]

I loved them when they first appeared, but now everyone seems to be wearing them (how many parody versions of Celine or Hermes logo have you already seen this month?) and I'm pretty much over them. Except the one that says "Ain't Laurent (without Yves)". I'd definitely wear that.
However, it's a trend I'll most likely be coming back to with nostalgia once it's gone.

 

[fashion doctor]

^ I've seen a lot of them as well. But the "Ain't Laurent (without Yves)" is the one that really caught my attention. It seems more personal - right?

 

[tangerine]

^ I've seen a lot of them as well. But the "Ain't Laurent (without Yves)" is the one that really caught my attention. It seems more personal - right?

Exactly. Homies, Comme des F*ckdown, etc. are simple plays on words, giving putative street cred to luxury brands; the SLP parody is a personal slap at Hedi. I think he overreacted rather childishly, but it is a different situation and I think there is arguably a legitimate concern about brand image there.

 

[TREVOFASHIONISTO]

i had the celine me alone shirt when it first came out as well as the comme des f**kdown hat but they get so played out and are very one-dimensional that you just dont want to wear it anymore. I lost my hat last halloween which to me was a sign that it was time for it to go, and i have no idea where the shirt went and I don't miss either .

I don't think its counterfeit I think its a fun way (at first it was now its a little annoying) because these designer's t-shirts can run you $300+ just for a shirt with a logo, at least these had some humor and wit

 

[AnaO]

I wonder how many non-fashionistas first heard about brands like Celine or CdG thanks to these tees

 

[Kaye Beeh]

Now its like whatever, I liked the comedy before. I remember when Cara Del. wore hers throughout nyfw last season, it was so edgy. Now its playout I think.

I only have one shirt a celine parody, thats all. Time to go back to junk food and vintage band shirts. "The One and only cheerios"

 

[nita-karoliina]

I loved them before they got trendy and i still do.

 

[fashion doctor]

I saw a young woman wearing a Homiès, New York one yesterday. I get that it's a play on Hermès, Paris, but does Homies (or Homiès) actually mean anything?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Oh yes, it does. Homies is short for home boys. Google should take you right to Urban Dictionary ...

 

[softgrey]

i think it's cool if you come up with something yourself, make your own shirt and make some sort of personal statement...
then it's a form of personal expression and one could even argue that it's art...

otherwise, it's just another commercial venture and a way for people to capitalize on the popularity of a brand, or the unpopularity, in the case of saint laurent...

i preferred it when people made their own...

 

[VogueDisciple93]

Though I would not wear them myself, I've always thought the "Ain't Laurent (without Yves)" was brilliant.

 

[fashion doctor]

^ Oh yes, it does. Homies is short for home boys. Google should take you right to Urban Dictionary ...

Ah, of course! Thanks for the tip.

 

[fashion doctor]

i think it's cool if you come up with something yourself, make your own shirt and make some sort of personal statement...
then it's a form of personal expression and one could even argue that it's art...

otherwise, it's just another commercial venture and a way for people to capitalize on the popularity of a brand, or the unpopularity, in the case of saint laurent...

i preferred it when people made their own...

That's a pretty cool idea. Have you seen anyone with a homemade one?

 

[VersaceVixen009]

I was in Urban Outfitters yesterday and saw a bunch of them. That's a popular store you can find them.
I've noticed that certain brands such as Obey seem to base their designs and logos off high-fashioned brands, and often seem to make a huge profit of them. One of Obey's most popular selling items were the sweaters with the logo that is clearly a knock off of the Gucci logo. What's a mystery to me is if its a mockery of the brand or not, like a middle finger to the wealth of the brand and its customers.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Is there a mystery here? I can't really detect any respect or homage in their product line.

I like the "Disobey" in the Disney logo font ... cute.