Like many collegiettes™, I have a love-hate relationship with the store Forever 21. Without fail, every time I shop there, one of two things happens. I’m either head-over-heels in love with half of the store and walk out with more bags than I could possibly carry, or I hate absolutely everything I see and cannot wait to get out of the store (in which case I go home to read the blog WTFOREVER21). But lately, aside from my typical shopping dilemma, I’ve had a slightly more ethical issue with the popular retailer.
Forever 21 is notorious for being the place to get your hands on designer knock-offs. On one hand, they offer collegiettes™ a chance to rock the latest trends from the runway and pricier stories at a fraction of the cost. On the other hand, they’re really ripping-off designers and other companies’ designs and hard-work…and that just doesn’t sit well with me. While designers can copyright their logos and original prints, they cannot copyright the cut or details of a garments they produce, which is exactly what Forever 21 is capitalizing on.
Check out a few of these items for sale at Forever 21 next to their “inspiration” pieces from the original designers. In person, you might be able to tell the differences in the quality of the fabrics and colors, but based off of photographs alone, the items look remarkably similar.
I’m amazed by the last picture of the yellow dresses. The dress on the left is a Diane von Fursenberg’s dress retailing for $325 and the one on the right is a Forever 21 dress selling for only $32.80. I don’t know about you, but they look almost exactly the same to me. You can easily see how Diane von Fursenberg’s company ended up suing Forever 21 over the too close for comfort similarities.
As I write this post, I am beyond angered at Forever 21 for putting some of my favorite designers in unfavorable positions by cheaply knocking-off their work. Between that and the store’s reputation for jeopardizing their factory workers with harsh conditions and unfair pay, I cannot believe that this store is still in business. While I want to say that I will never set foot in a Forever 21 ever again, I know that’s an empty promise. Sometimes you just need a less-expensive new top to wear to a party or a sundress to wear to a last minute family event, and Forever 21 is the perfect place to find one. And so, I’m torn.
So tell me what you think, collegiettes™. What do you think about Forever 21 knocking-off designer duds? Is it still one of your favorite stores, or will you be thinking twice before you shop there again?
Image Sources:
http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/style/2009/04/13/is-forever-21-the-f…
http://www.thefeast.com/newyork/shopping/FEAST-SHOP-DFW-Knock-It-Off-For…
http://www.fabsugar.com/Digging-Treasure-Forever-21-7102978
http://www.ericabunker.com/2007/03/when-i-do-it-i-dont-sell-them.html