The Age of Copying - Zowie Broach of Boudicca speaks about designers who copy ideas

[gius]

One thing I've noticed after working for/with so many people, students, etc is that it's really dependent on the personality.. There are some people who really can't come up with anything on their own, they have to look to others for ideas, inspiration, direction... almost to say that they don't even have a personality, they don't know what they like or dislike. They just go with the group/person. It's really part of who they are, it makes them feel more fulfilled even, to be working through others than alone.

This is just one side of it.. Not really speaking of Forever21 et al since their motive is just money.. To others, designing is merely a social activity than a vision or expression of the soul.

 

[liketheboys]

Perhaps designers could take comfort in the fact that they are pushing fashion forward. It must be really hard to see pieces you've worked so hard on, and are so proud of.. Then a couple of weeks later there is a knock off on asos. However, fashion is a constant reaction to what has gone before, and I guess this pushes designers to strive for their next idea.
Doubt I'd be saying that if i was putting out 4 collections a year and it all ends up being ripped off by topshop though...

I also agree with what zazie said about the lesser known highly creative designers who suffer the most from this. But I guess fashion is a buisness, so if you choose to be less commercial you may have to put up with being a starving artist. It's a shame there isn't more support and mentoring for these young designers.

 

[Tentacl Ventricl]

It's a shame there isn't more support and mentoring for these young designers.

Personally I would like to see the Designers and Collections forum give much more attention to lesser known designers who are creating interesting work.

There is seemingly a direct correlation between the number of posts and views a thread receives and how visible, known, fattened up with marketing spend, the subject brand happens to be.

I have been guilty of this myself. We all have. By definition. The numbers speak for themselves. I intend to find the time and the will to alter my focus.

In this small way we could play a part in helping there be a more level playing field. Because there's perhaps something worse for a designer than being copied and that's being ignored.

 

[Scott]

^actually we do try to give as much attention as we can and it used to be probably the one attribute that made D&C really stand-out amongst other forums. it's been difficult to maintain though as so many designers aren't really paid as much attention to outside the tFS as much these days so that makes it harder for we posters to keep up. also as the spot has grown in popularity and gained many new members the focus has certainly,and not surprisingly,shifted more toward the established. i still feel,if you look at other places,forums,blogs etc,we probably give more attention to smaller talents than anybody.

as per the conversation,again,i don't necessarily feel as though zowie's article was about cheap as a whole--nothing wrong with disposable fashion--but copies purchased on a cheap level. i shop cheap myself but if i can honestly help it i try to avoid the blatant stuff as much as i possibly can unless it comes from an actual designer doing a line a cheap level. say,the target go lines or jil sander's uniqlo collection. i also feel it's about credit where it's due. boudicca is known for their distinct patterns and cutting skills so when H&M allowed that to be part of madge's line,it's kind of like a slap in the face because no credit in it's influence is ever given. it reminds me of that sea-scape photo print t'shirt that H&M did last year,which was a blatant rip-off of the one's branquinho did a couple seasons before.

 

[agee]

Once you are a member of tFS, you have considerable freedom to share content about designers, photographers and other creatives, especially if the person is not well known. I don't think that someone should be discouraged from sharing a new discovery or an under-rated talent because the thread may not get a lot of hits.