Oct 1, 2010 | Media
PBS journalist Johanna Blakely posted an opinion piece the other day on how copyright protection with literally “cramp our style.” It’s a fascinating article, and one I COMPLETELY agree with. (And the crux of why I began Chic Steals in the first place!) My take on this:
The fashion industry must have knockoffs or else it won’t survive.
Nothing is truly new or original anymore, it’s all been done. To claim copyright to a design (i.e., allow big, powerful companies with lawyers and tons of $ to claim copyright to a design) will only cause the industry to stagnate and truly destroy any innovation whatsoever. It will prevent the formation of new businesses, the rise of new designers, and everything will be a mess of copyrights and infringement lawsuits and settlement payments to companies that are ALREADY rich.
Fashion is aspirational and there always need to be designers that distill the pieces from the fashion-forward mega-brands and bring them to the public at an affordable price.
Copying or “being inspired by” is completely necessary to the industry – and to consumers. An exact copy – logos and everything? Stitching and all? Same materials, same size, same design – created by rubbing off the original? Wrong. There’s a fine line between “inspiration” and “copy.” “Copiers” will never be as revered as those who devise the trends and are always pushing the boundaries: the forward-thinkers of fashion. But they’re equally as necessary to the dissemination of fashion to the public and the health of the industry as a whole.
It’s like I always say – if you’re going to copy, PAY HOMAGE and say “inspired by.” If you’re a company beyond a certain size and doing a certain volume a year, don’t rip off from the little guys. You’re supposed to be the innovators. Innovate. Don’t hide behind a mistaken and self-righteous “I did it first, so there! It’s mine!” And I’m looking at YOU, Ms. von Furstenberg. Bah.
Thanks, Jenn, for the link! You are always so on top of things:-)
xoxox
Carly
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Oct 1, 2010 | DIY
This week flew by in a flash!
I’m sure you all were feeling the same, as this week’s DIY Roundup only received 5 entries!:-(
There’s something about the beginning of Fall that just gets everyone their busiest…
Nonetheless, I had a great time visiting all your blogs and checking out your pieces. You’re all so creative! Here are the top 3 projects:
Shy Shirley has linked her version of a BCBG Max Azria leather tassel necklace – and the results are just FAB! I love her addition of beads to the final piece – stroke of genius.
From our friend from last week SewPetiteGal, we have a beautiful embellished-shoulder tanktop. Again, it’s so well-done I can’t tell it’s not RTW – and it’s so elegant! Just beautiful!
This scarf is a wonderful alternative to the usual knit or crocheted scarf, and it’s so feminine and looks beautiful for Fall! Great job!
Thank you so much for sharing, and please enter any other projects you have in my next DIY roundup!
If your project has been featured above, feel free to grab the button below.
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 30, 2010 | DIY
Inspired by Candace Ang‘s ruffle necklaces, I created a super-simple, super-affordable version for one of my submissions for Style Sample Magazine and New York Design Shop’s Create Couture Challenge back in early August.
You Need:
*Cream Sweater Style Stretch Trim
*Large Silver Pyramid Studs
Additional Tools/Materials:
*silver necklace or chain
*sewing machine
*hand-sewing needle
*matching thread
*pliers
*chain-cutting pliers
How to:
1. Cut the Stretch Trim in half.
2. Zigzag stitch the two halves together along the long sides on the sewing machine. (Slightly overlapping them is best.)
3. Securely knot a long piece of thread on your needle, and make long, basting stitches along the long side of the trim piece you just made.
4. Pull thread tight to gather the trim – and knot securely on the other side.
5. Sew back through the top gathers to secure.
6. Stud the trim and fold the stud prongs down on the underside.
7. Cut chain necklace in half, and stitch both ends of it to the top ends of your ruffle piece.
Fuzzy and fun – this was sooooo quick to do.
Totally tactile, this fuzzy trim makes an edgy statement with all that metal peeking out!
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 29, 2010 | Fashion, Score!
As I’ve been hinting since last week, there was a Challenge given to the bloggers in attendance at the Marshall’s event last Tuesday (where I learned a lot about off-price retailing – check out my write-up here if you are interested in this particular sector of the clothing market).
10 Bloggers were in attendance at the event, and we were each gifted with a $100 gift card to use to purchase some items to work into our wardrobes.
Then we had to incorporate the items we bought into a Week’s Worth of Outfits, mixig them with other pieces that were already in our wardrobes.
So here’s how I styled the above items my week:
Also wearing: Claire’s rhinestone earrings; Forever 21 ruffled-front blouse, wool tuxedo jacket, and mixed chain bracelet; Alloy Victorian booties
Also wearing: Target 3-strand headband; envelope necklace from Reyney’s Etsy shop; Forever 21 collegiate blazer and goldtone chain ring; Newport-News oversized patent clutch; Alloy Parker Wedge heels
Also wearing: Jeans Warehouse white ribbed tanktop; tie-dye cardigan (also from Marshall’s); gold coin long necklace from Aldo’s; Forever 21 woven belt; Old Navy Trouser Jeans
Also wearing: chainmail viscose top from soo long ago the label’s gone; mixed white bangles from Pineapple County in Honolulu; vintage bangle; Old Navy chain pochette
Also wearing: DIY filigree dangle earrings; DIY scarf; Claire’s “Dream” 2-finger ring; Forever 21 studded clutch and heeled combat boots
Also wearing: Forever 21 sequined chain necklace; Ann Taylor leopard-print cardigan [Ebay]; Old Navy satin-edged cardigan; Target mixed-chain cuff; 2 DIY feathered bangles; Hue reversible tights
Also wearing: DIY spiked headband; silver key necklace from Japan; Urban Outfitters tassel bag; faux fur foxtail available in my Etsy shop; convertible Victoria’s Secret top worn as skirt; Alloy Marlane boots; cape from Ideeli slung over shoulder
A CHALLENGE FOR MY READERS!
So the challenge for you guys is: GIVE ME YOUR COMMENTS! The blogger with the MOST comments on their Week of Outfits post receives a $100 Marshall’s gift card to give to one of their readers!
So…to be entered in the drawing to win a $100 Marshall’s/T.J. Maxx gift card…
Leave your Comments on this post!
As many times as you want! Tweet it, blog it, post it on Facebook! Tell me what you thought of my outfits, if you liked anything I picked…anything! I really want one of my fabulous readers to win – so the more times you comment, the more I’m likely to win this!
If I am the one to receive the most comments, I’ll be picking one comment from this post [with the help of Random.org] and awarding the reader the $100 Gift Card! As you can see from above, if you shop smart there’s a TON of great items you can find at Marshall’s…so for anyone who’s longing for something new for Fall…to spice up their back-to-school wardrobe…needs to get some cute outfits for the kiddos…wants to get a head-start on Christmas gifts…or is desperately in need of a new coffee table…this $100 Gift Card will sure some in handy!
Contest is open until Oct. 4, 2010 at 5 PM EST.
So comment up a storm because we’ve got a lot of other bloggers to beat!!;-)
Check out the other bloggers’ Week of Outfits at:
xoxox
Carly
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Sep 27, 2010 | Fashion
Fall is here and I have shoes on the brain!
Overstock.com is a great site to shop at a discount (always!) for everything from furniture to kids’ clothing, to books, crafts (my fave!;-)), to women’s outerwear, clothing, handbags, jewelry, and shoes. It’s always a treasure hunt because you never know what you’ll find on sale there. Plus, they offer $2.95 shipping on your entire order! (And currently they’re also having a promotion for Free Shipping on Outerwear to a continental U.S. address!)
They’ve also shared with me a coupon code just for you:
Enter code 121728 at checkout
to receive 10% off your entire order!
So as I wrote, I’m definitely in the market for a new pair of shoes for Fall. But what should I pick? Boots made for stompin’? Demure little booties? High, high heels? Here are some items that caught my eye: (and the best thing is, they’re both under $43 if you use the coupon!!)
Go Max Prestige 8 Platform Stiletto Heels, $15.29 with coupon
Penny Loves Kenny Cavalry Short Boots, $32.39 with coupon
Maybe you’ll be able to find some other goodies there?
Shop Women’s Shoes on Overstock.com Now!
xoxox
Carly
FTC Disclosure: All the ideas and opinions expressed are my own. No monetary compensation was received for doing this post, however, I was provided with a discount code. Read more about my Disclosure Policy here.
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