Michael Kors "copies" other designers?

[Leafspark]

Thanks, lenarmc -- that's useful to know, and of course that makes total sense. Thanks for pointing that out.

And I'm glad you brought up the context of luxury goods globally -- many, many other brands do the same thing. I know I was unfairly calling out Michael Kors on this, but it's just the most immediate example I have. I just found it interesting that the Michael Kors shoes have the "Made in China" stamp virtually hidden away under the vamp, to the point where I had to lift, stretch and pull back the vamp just to read it, actually straining my eyes. My guess is that if the shoes had been manufactured (or assembled) in Italy, the brand would not hesitate to announce it loud and clear elsewhere on the shoe. Transparency and honesty -- consumers deserve that. Hiding the "Made in China" label just suggests pretension, as if the brand were ashamed of something.

I guess the reason why I felt so compelled to write these posts is that this has been a curious thing that I've noticed for a long time, in many other contexts. My Michael Kors shoes just happened to be the thing to stir me up.

For example, on the Anthropologie website: for products that are made in Italy or somewhere else equally esteemed, the product description clearly indicates "Made in Italy." However, for any other products made in China or elsewhere with less "prestige," the product description on the website simply says, "Imported."

Well, products from Italy are also "imported" into the USA too, aren't they? So why does Anthropologie clearly announce "Made in Italy" but refrain from stating "Made in China"? If "Imported" is used for China, why not do the same thing for Italy? Why this double standard and this lack of parallel labelling? (Sorry, this is my Type A personality coming through -- parallelism, consistency, symmetry...)

I have nothing against the Anthropologie store -- I love the products there.

And of course this happens almost everywhere, and we all know why. Cachet, prestige... hey, nobody said that marketing was fair. And isn't the whole point of marketing to steer bias, to highlight some things and obfuscate others? Ugly reality of consumer culture, I guess.

My apologies for veering off the original subject of this thread.

 

[dangerouscurves]

Jewels24 -- great point! (And hello from a fellow BC gal!)

I have only one item by Michael Kors -- the Avra snakeskin pump which I got on sale from The September (fabulous online store, btw -- and Canadian, yay!). However, I must admit that I was hesitant to purchase it because I was never comfortable with how Michael Kors tries too hard to elevate his brand as on par with premier designers when it is clearly not. In fact, I decided to get the Avra pumps because yes, they are beautiful -- but I was really wishing that they weren't by Michael Kors, if that makes sense... Thank goodness the gaudy logo is on the sole and nowhere else.

Here's a gripe that I'd like to share, about something I'm sure many of you already know about. Michael Kors shoes are made in China. However, that in itself is not the issue, for there are some quality items out there by other brands that are manufactured in China. But my peeve is that Michael Kors wants to hide this fact. The brand does not indicate anywhere on the shoes or the packaging that they are Made in China -- EXCEPT on a stamp on the most inconspicuous location, deep on the inside of the vamp -- somewhere nobody would see unless he/she were looking really hard.

And here's what's worse: Michael Kors has the daring to stamp "VERO CUOIO" on the sole. Yes, it's true that the sole is made of real leather -- I'm not disputing that. But in addition to literally meaning "genuine leather," the "VERO CUOIO" stamp has the added connotation that the shoes are crafted in Italy -- so putting this Italian stamp on is not exactly a lie, but a terribly misleading intimation of a false concept.

The vast majority of my shoes are made in Italy, but I do have a few made in China, such as my Keen sandals for casual street wear. I have no issue with the fact that certain items of mine are made in China.

But Michael Kors, please call a spade a spade -- if your products are made in China, make that transparent (at least brands like Coach do). Hiding that fact just reinforces the perception that the Michael Kors brand is overestimating its place in the designer market. Is Michael Kors ashamed of something?

I guess all I'm arguing for is that brands be sincere and open about the products they are offering. Thanks for letting me vent about this seemingly petty thing.

In the shoes that I've bought, the made in China stamp can be found on the bottom of the box and on a sticker inside of the shoes (shrug).

 

[dangerouscurves]

Every brand copies other brands. Big deal. When it's a premier designer that copies other brand no one complains. And for the posters who says Chanel bags are art, ahem... I don't see it that way, especially when the quality is going down south. I think being able to buy premier designer bags brings out the snob in us. Sigh.

 

[dangerouscurves]

I wasn't specifically calling you out, m'dear. Sorry if it seemed that way.

______



I guess I am the odd one here - I've been noticing handbags for at least 35 years and there has not been a time when bags have not looked like other bags at some point in time. They can be different material, expensive vs cheap, with hardware or without it - but at some point they can look like another. I'm also into the history of the bag, and you go back to 16th century dynasty China, they've got bags, and darned if they don't look like what we call a classic hobo today, some of them. Some of them are beaded and ornate and how did the American Native Indian copy that design?



Who is copying who?



I have NEVER cared for Michael Kors and I think it's darned funny that so many of you didn't know who he was until he suddenly got on everyone's radar - the 'it' bag for the Coach set. Kors has been around since 1981, for heaven's sake.



Now specifically calling a brand/designer out like this smacks of a witch hunt and like I said to begin with...



I think it's odd.



Here, where we have a love affair with the handbag. I don't mind talking about bags we don't like, but this?



Thanks for letting me have an opinion, too. I'll go back to my little BVette world...

I totally agree with you. Mansur Gavriel, Moschino, even Saint Laurent have bags that are similar to LV Bucket bag. But no one says they stole the design of LV.

 

[papertiger]

It seems to me that women who aren't usually knowledgeable in handbag designers or who are just starting to build a collection are drawn to MK. I don't think I've ever heard the MK brand talk about quality or design esthetic.....and I think the prices are quite high for what you get. I see MK on the arms of the masses. But I also think Kate Spade and Rebecca Minkoff do the same thing. I personally want nothing to do with any of those brands. As soon as I see teen agers everywhere carrying these bags, it kills it for me. I went to a warehouse sale for RM last summer just to see what they had, and it was full of young girls-not women....the bags were 50% off but I just couldn't love them even at that price. Some people want bags and shoes that everyone else has, I am not one of them.

Is MK a smart marketer-yes but he is not trying to appeal to those of us who want a more limited edition product. I find it funny that MK used to be on Project Runway talking about having a 'unique point of view'. Yet there he sat every week in a black t shirt probably thinking about knocking off LV with a canvas coated tote.

I think you're probably right. I've just had a browse on the MK site and his Miranda is a knock off Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket. MG is not a huge, established company to knock-off, and their bags are not so pricey in their original form, it's not nice business but as you say not all people are as fussy or well informed.

I also think he rides on the back of his earlier work, historically, he used to make clean-line, coordinating 'sportswear' (not talking about active-wear) and he has stores in some of the highest rate real estate, to many people who see MK opposite LV or next to H they just think after browsing whilst on holiday or for a treat, "great, that's not too bad, I've seen those around, I can actually afford something on this street".

I feel ambivalent about the issue, it's people's choice and the MMK bags are very popular, I can't help to notice them everywhere (how could I not notice those MK medallions? ) but I certainly feel mystified by the ladies who buy the premier priced MK line only to have to wade through a shop full of MMK approximates of every other popular bag on the high street to get to their mega expensive item Maybe the premier line is just a front so he can stay on 'designer street'.

 

[swags]

Interesting topic. Last year I bought a quilted leather kate spade bag. It does remind me of Chanel. I saw a copy of the Kate Spade version at TJMaxx for $24.99. I can't remember the name of the brand but the label said vegan friendly. I think a lot of the popular shapes are copied at all price points. For example there are a lot of Celine luggage tote inspired bags still making the rounds.

 

[Leafspark]

O

 

[Leafspark]

In the shoes that I've bought, the made in China stamp can be found on the bottom of the box and on a sticker inside of the shoes (shrug).

Oh, good to know -- thanks for sharing this info 😊

 

[dangerouscurves]

I think you're probably right. I've just had a browse on the MK site and his Miranda is a knock off Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket. MG is not a huge, established company to knock-off, and their bags are not so pricey in their original form, it's not nice business but as you say not all people are as fussy or well informed.

I also think he rides on the back of his earlier work, historically, he used to make clean-line, coordinating 'sportswear' (not talking about active-wear) and he has stores in some of the highest rate real estate, to many people who see MK opposite LV or next to H they just think after browsing whilst on holiday or for a treat, "great, that's not too bad, I've seen those around, I can actually afford something on this street".

I feel ambivalent about the issue, it's people's choice and the MMK bags are very popular, I can't help to notice them everywhere (how could I not notice those MK medallions? ) but I certainly feel mystified by the ladies who buy the premier priced MK line only to have to wade through a shop full of MMK approximates of every other popular bag on the high street to get to their mega expensive item Maybe the premier line is just a front so he can stay on 'designer street'.

Michael Kors' main line is a different league. I'm almost sure that those who buys the main line bags are not concerned with the brand recognition. The high end bags of Michael Kors are lined in leather, have better quality of leather and better craftsmanship.

 

[papertiger]

Michael Kors' main line is a different league. I'm almost sure that those who buys the main line bags are not concerned with the brand recognition. The high end bags of Michael Kors are lined in leather, have better quality of leather and better craftsmanship.

I agree, I have a couple of friends who've worked for MK as part of his design team for the premier line and a SM, I know the difference, you know the difference, not everyone knows the difference.

 

[gail13]

I feel ambivalent about the issue, it's people's choice and the MMK bags are very popular, I can't help to notice them everywhere (how could I not notice those MK medallions? ) but I certainly feel mystified by the ladies who buy the premier priced MK line only to have to wade through a shop full of MMK approximates of every other popular bag on the high street to get to their mega expensive item Maybe the premier line is just a front so he can stay on 'designer street'.[/QUOTE]

I never thought about it that way, but it makes me like him even less if it's true.

Those huge logo'd MK ID tags are such a turn off too-and now that logo- less look is making it's way to the designer circuit-what will he do next? I can handle the copying of styles but when there's no craftsmanship to back it up, why bother- may as well buy a much cheaper version priced realistically.

 

[waymearound]

I wasn't specifically calling you out, m'dear. Sorry if it seemed that way.
______

I guess I am the odd one here - I've been noticing handbags for at least 35 years and there has not been a time when bags have not looked like other bags at some point in time. They can be different material, expensive vs cheap, with hardware or without it - but at some point they can look like another. I'm also into the history of the bag, and you go back to 16th century dynasty China, they've got bags, and darned if they don't look like what we call a classic hobo today, some of them. Some of them are beaded and ornate and how did the American Native Indian copy that design?

Who is copying who?

I have NEVER cared for Michael Kors and I think it's darned funny that so many of you didn't know who he was until he suddenly got on everyone's radar - the 'it' bag for the Coach set. Kors has been around since 1981, for heaven's sake.

Now specifically calling a brand/designer out like this smacks of a witch hunt and like I said to begin with...

I think it's odd.

Here, where we have a love affair with the handbag. I don't mind talking about bags we don't like, but this?

Thanks for letting me have an opinion, too. I'll go back to my little BVette world...

you have totally spoken my mind out! The whole world of fashion/designer is about the arts of copying. For brands/bags we like, we say "inspired". For brands we don't, we say copy. Comme look at MK's stock performance, not to mention thousands of jobs they created.

 

[StevenDaniel]

Michael by Michael Kors is garbage and is what most people think of Michael Kors. Michael Kors Collection has bags for $2000 and shoes for $700. But it is hard to pay the money for that when the other stuff by the same designer is so much less. I work at saks and we have a Michael Kors boutique and when people ask for it and I take them over they are stunned. Most of the time they are foreign and are looking for gifts for their teenagers, not a $2600 dress.

 

[anthrosphere]

I see MK on the arms of the masses. But I also think Kate Spade and Rebecca Minkoff do the same thing. I personally want nothing to do with any of those brands. As soon as I see teen agers everywhere carrying these bags, it kills it for me. I went to a warehouse sale for RM last summer just to see what they had, and it was full of young girls-not women....the bags were 50% off but I just couldn't love them even at that price. Some people want bags and shoes that everyone else has, I am not one of them.

I feel the same way about Louis Vuitton now. They blatantly copied Celine's luggage tote with their fugly W bag. I seen that bag in person and it looked like a knockoff. Personally I don't want anything to do with this brand anymore. Their quality keeps going downhill while their prices go up. Very disappointing.


And good luck finding a bag or shoe that no one else has. Rebecca was like that until her popularity soared. Now everyone has her stuff. If you want a one of a kind bag or shoe, maybe you shouldn't buy anymore designer luxury goods. Because let's face it, everyone carries LV, Chanel, Hermes, Prada, Balenciaga, etc nowadays.

 

[Mariapia]

I feel the same way about Louis Vuitton now. They blatantly copied Celine's luggage tote with their fugly W bag. I seen that bag in person and it looked like a knockoff. Personally I don't want anything to do with this brand anymore. Their quality keeps going downhill while their prices go up. Very disappointing.


And good luck finding a bag or shoe that no one else has. Rebecca was like that until her popularity soared. Now everyone has her stuff. If you want a one of a kind bag or shoe, maybe you shouldn't buy anymore designer luxury goods. Because let's face it, everyone carries LV, Chanel, Hermes, Prada, Balenciaga, etc nowadays.

Where I live, though it's not really a village... far from it, I have never seen anyone carry a Chanel, a Hermès or a Bal. I meet a few ladies wearing LV of course, It's our best selling high end brand in France, but not everyone can afford one of their bags.