I remember when I moved to New York I took a little bag I would use to go out in with me that I had received as a present, I think from a Secret Santa. The first night I used to it go out in an American friend smiled at me and said ‘Looks like someone has discovered China town already’. This comment of course went straight over my head I had no idea what she was referring to!
After a few months of acquainting myself with the city I finally made it to China Town. The comment that girl had said became a realisation in front of my eyes. China Town was full of huge knock offs and fake everything’s. I’m not into designed but it turned out my little purse given to me in Australia was a fake Coach. This knock off stations didn’t just appear in China town but mean would walk around with sheets holding bags and lay them out on New York Street sidewalks whenever they saw an opportunity.
Later that year I did also head to Bali for a vacation and the same things appeared. Fake Gucci and Coach bags were shoved in your face and overflowed in little stores. I did buy a few things but then I had an attack of the guilt’s. I know designers overcharge ridiculous amounts for their clothes and bags but I knew deep own it was wrong and besides I wasn’t into those high end brands so why did I want to walk around with a fake one anyway.
Years and years have gone by and I haven’t bought a fake anything, until this dress!! Moving back home I started perusing the Myer Miss Shop and the sale rack with my Aunty. A designer (I won’t name because I can’t be sure I’ll name the right designer) had this new collection and gorgeous hummingbird print. I first saw Hummingbirds in California when Kirsty and I had visited the Getty museum in 2002. The museum overlooking the smouldering LA skyline has an outdoor area where these cute little birds flitted in and out of the potted green plants. I adored the dress but at over $200 it was well out of my price range.
Shopping a few weeks later at my new DeJaniero store in Melbourne I spotted this dress. It is a knock off of the dress I had seen in Myer that day .. but at ¾ of the price!. I really like the way the back floats when I walk and for a moment I feel like a catwalk model. I don’t endorse copy cat things or the black trade that goes on with them, but do designers have the right to price things so high that their wears are exclusively for the well off – or should fashion be for everyone?
Either way I love this dress and the way it makes me feel when I’m wearing it, I do apologise to the designer for wearing a knock off but maybe they could design something I can actually afford to buy because obviously I do like their style!
Day 35 : Copy Cat
Bought: A year and a ago
Price Range: 40.00
From: The new DeJaniero in Melbourne CBD
What I like about this dress : I really like the floating feeling the back of the dress gives me when I walk and the pattern of the material
Tag Info: Made in China, Angel, Biba, 35% Cotton 65% Polyester
Photo Credit: HJackson
My fave so far. Love the way it looks. The one thing I'd do (which could cost you if you can't do it yourself) is to take up the back, so that it's still longer than the front, but that it doesn't drape on the ground. Other than that - love it! It makes you look taller (because it's longer), even though I know you're fairly short. Love the shoes with it. Very nice, Skye. Like the coral colored sleeveless dress on the lady on your left. That would be a good color for you. - Carla
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